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Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for initially anesthesizing the vas deferens of a male patient and then cauterizing the vas deferens to thereby permanently sterilize the male. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a container to house an anesthetic fluid and which is removably attached to a first electrode. The first electrode includes a hollow needle having a tip formed at one end. The apparatus further includes a second electrode having a conducting probe with a distal end and which is slidably insertable through the hollow needle. In operation, the needle is inserted through the scrotum wall and the tip positioned within the vas deferens. The anesthetic is forceably moved from the container through the hollow needle to desensitize the vas deferens. The container is removed from the first electrode and the second electrode is inserted into the first electrode. The distal end extends beyond the tip of the hollow needle and is positioned within the vas deferens. The first and second electrodes are connected to a source of power so that an electrical conducting path is formed between the two electrodes through the vas deferens to cauterize the vas deferens and thereby permanently sterilize the male patient. In another embodiment, anesthetic may be injected with a conventional syringe and then the pointed electrodes inserted into the vas deferens and energized to complete the procedure. If desired, a unipolar electrode can be used in conjunction with a grounding plate. Also, the electrode can include a resistance heated needle tip for cauterizing the vas deferens. Finally, the electrodes may be arranged to provide two separate burn areas within the vas deferens to cauterize two separate areas.

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First Claim