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Abstract

A method of occluding a vessel including: cinching the vessel with a ligature comprising a flexible elongate base structure having a longitudinal axis, a needle end, and a second end, a collar for receiving a needle and affixed elongate base structure, positioned on the second end, and a node for interacting with the collar, the node positioned on the elongate base structure, between the needle and second ends, transverse to the longitudinal axis and having a proximal and a distal edge with respect to the needle end of the flexible elongate base structure, a portion of the node's proximal edge relative the needle end of the flexible elongate base structure being perpendicular to the elongate base structure's longitudinal axis. The method is ideally suited for performing a tubal (fallopian tube) ligation for reproductive control. In such a case, the fallopian tube is cinched sufficiently to block passage of an ovum through the fallopian tube's lumen, but is insufficiently occluded to unduly restrict blood circulation through the fallopian tube. In such a method, the ligature may be impregnated with contraceptive compound (e.g. a contraceptive steroid such as a progestogen) in order to prevent implantation of an ovum which already passed through the fallopian tube's lumen.

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First Claim