| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090068284 | Method for treating menorrhagia - A delivery vehicle for a silver ion source such as silver nitrate and the like, suitable for use in the treatment of menorrhagia, comprises a plurality of physiologically inert beads bearing a tissue cauterizing amount of a silver ion source. Preferably the beads are made of a physiologically inert polymer, ceramic or stainless steel. The silver ion source preferably is silver nitrate and can be substantially pure silver nitrate, or can comprise silver nitrate in combination with a physiologically tolerable binder or a diluent. Suitable binders include physiologically tolerable synthetic polymeric binders, polysaccharide binders, and the like. Diluents can include other salt materials such as potassium nitrate. The beads are useful in treating menorrhagia of a mammalian uterus. The beads can be delivered to the uterus via a catheter, and are distributed throughout the uterine cavity by uterine massage or like expedient. Silver ions are delivered to the endometrium and cause necrosis of the endometrial tissue. The silver ions remaining within the uterine cavity can then be neutralized with a sodium chloride solution delivered to the uterus e.g., by catheter, and the beads recovered from the uterus. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090155367 | Occlusion of Fallopian Tubes - The present invention provides a method for inducing Fallopian tube blockage as a means for female contraception. The method comprises contacting the inner surface tissue of a Fallopian tube with a silver nitrate bearing substrate, delivering an amount of silver nitrate to the tissue sufficient to induce blockage of the Fallopian tube. Preferably, the substrate is a bead. In one embodiment, at least one silver nitrate bearing bead is introduced through the uterine opening of the Fallopian tube by use of a catheter or other device suitable for manipulating the bead. Alternatively, a plurality of beads can be introduced into the Fallopian tube. In a preferred embodiment, one or more silver nitrate bearing beads are arranged on a string to facilitate later removal of the beads. The method of the present invention delivers an amount of silver nitrate to the tissue sufficient to cause tissue necrosis and blockage of the Fallopian tube. The silver nitrate is delivered to the tissue by the substrate in a controlled and localized manner. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20110159044 | SILVER ION DELIVERY PLATFORM - The present invention pertains to silver ion bearing carriers useful in treating monorrhagia of a mammalian uterus, comprising a physiologically inert, flexible earner, e.g., a coil, bearing a tissue cauterizing amount of a silver ion. Silver ions are delivered to the endometrium and cause necrosis of the endometrial tissue. The silver ions remaining within the uterine cavity can then be neutralized with a sodium chloride solution delivered to the uterus e.g., by catheter, and the carrier recovered from the uterus. | 06-30-2011 |