US3777737A

US3777737A - Method and device for reversibly interrupting fluid flow in a living being

Info

Publication number: US3777737A
Application number: US00233930A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Bucalo
Original assignee: Investors in Ventures Inc
Current assignee: Investors in Ventures Inc
Priority date: 1971-01-04
Filing date: 1972-03-13
Publication date: 1973-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-11

Abstract

A method and device for reversibly interrupting flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being. The method and device are particularly adapted for use with the vas deferens of a human being. A member such as a vas deferens is at least partly cut transversely so as to have a pair of separated portions. Opposed ends of a valve are inserted into the interiors of these separated portions while a barrier is maintained between the separated portions to prevent them from communicating with each other. The valve is provided between elongated tubular portions of its housing which form the inlet and outlet of the valve with a barrier structure in the form of a ring to be situated between the separated portions of a member such as a vas, this ring having a diameter great enough to prevent communication between the interiors of the separated portions. When the valve is implanted it is provided with an elongated needle extending completely through and beyond the valve so that the ends of the needle can extend along the interiors of the separated portions of the vas, to prevent the separated portions from becoming closed during introduction of the valve. After the valve has been mounted in the vas the needle is removed. The valve is implanted in an open position and is closed only after the vas heals. This closing of the valve is brought about magnetically from the exterior of the body.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Bucalo Dec. 11, 1973 l l METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REVERSIBLY INTERRUPTING FLUID FLOW IN A LIVING BEING [75] Inventor: Louis Bucalo, Holbrook, N.Y.

[73] Assignee'. Investors In Venture, Inc., New

York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Mar. 13,1972

[21] Appl. No.: 233,930

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 103,606, Jan. 4,

1971, Pat. N0. 3,707,957.

[52] [1.8. Cl 128/1 R, 128/274, 251/65 [51] Int. Cl ..1 A611) 19/00 [58] Field of Search 128/1 R, 127,274,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,575,158 4/1971 Summers 128/1 R 3,731,670 5/1973 Loe 128/1 R 3,704,704 12/1972 Gonzales 128/1 R 3,699,957 10/1972 Robinson 128/1 R 3,495,620 2/1970 Raimondi et al... 128/305 VU 3,419,008 12/1968 Plishner 128/346 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,444,363 5/1966 France 128/419 P Primary Examiner-Dalton L. Truluck Attorney-Harold D. Steinberg et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A method anddevice for reversibly interrupting flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being. The method and device are particularly adapted for use with the vas deferens of a human being. A member such as a vas deferens is at least partly cut transversely so as to have a pair of separated portions. Opposed ends of a valve are inserted into the interiors of these separated portions while a barrier is maintained between the separated portions to prevent them from communicating with each other. The valve is provided between elongated tubular portions of its housing which form the inlet and outlet of the valve with a barrier structure in the form of a ring to be situated between the separated portions of a member such as a vas, this ring having a diameter great enough to prevent communication between the interiors of the separated portions. When the valve is implanted it is provided with an elongated needle extending completely through and beyond the valve so that the ends of the needle can extend along the interiors of the separated portions of the vas, to prevent the separated portions from becoming closed during introduction of the valve. After the valve has been mounted in the vas the needle is removed. The valve is implanted in an open position and is closed only after the vas heals. This closing of the valve is brought about magnetically from the exterior of the body.

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REVERSIBLY INTERRUPTING FLUID FLOW IN A LIVING BEING CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application is a continuation-in-part of US. Pat. application Ser. No. 103,606, filed Jan. 4, l97l andentitled Vas Valve," this application now being U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,957.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION- The present invention relates to methods and devices for reversibly interrupting the flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living beingLThus, the present invention is particularly applicable to male human beings for reversibly ,interruptingthe flow of sperm along the vas deferens.

It has long been known that it is possible to prevent conception by way of a simple operation performed on adult males. This operation involves severing the vas deferens so that sperm cannot flow therethrough. The greatdrawback of this well known operation resides in the fact that when at some future time it is desired to reestablish the flow of sperm through the vas, great difficulties are encountered in r'eestablishing the connection between the separated portions of the severed vas, and experience has shown that even when the severed vas portions are again connected to each other the flow of sperm through the vas is not always successfully reestablished.

It has therefore been proposed to resort to methods and devices which are capable of reversibly interrupting the flow of sperm through the vas. Thus, it has been proposed to implant in the vas a valve which can be closed so as to interrupt the flow of sperm. Whenever it is desired to reestablish the flow of sperm it is only necessary to open the valve.

In this case also, however,.experience has shown that in practice certain problems are encountered which prevent the desired results from being successfully achieved in all cases. One of the problems frequently encountered in connection with this type of reversible interruption of flow is that even when the valve is closed the flow of sperm along the vas is not reliably prevented. Thus, while movement of sperm along the interior of the valve may be reliably avoided by provid ing a valve which has'a suitable'construction, movement of sperm along the exterior of the valve is not always reliably prevented. The part of the vas in which the valve is implanted can form with respect to the exterior of the valve passages great enough for movement of sperm along the exterior of the valve so thatprevention of conception is not always achieved.

A further problem encountered in practice is that during implanting of the valve the interior of the vas becomes obstructed and closed so that even when the valve is subsequently opened to reestablish flow of sperm such flow does not take place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and device which will reliably achieve two results of primary importance, namely, the interruption of flow along the interior of a member such as a vas and the reestablishment of the flow subsequent to the interruption thereof.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a method and device which will prevent flow of fluid along the interior of a member in a living being in such a way that there is a complete assurance of interruption of flow of the fluid.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and device which can be fully relied upon to reestablish the flow when desired.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and device of the above type which are particularly suitable for use in adult males in connection with the vas deferens.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide reliable achievement of the above results with a method and device which are relatively simple and inexpensive so that the method and device of the invention can be readily available to all male adults, including those who are'in the so-called disadvantaged sectors of society where there is little affluence.

According to the method of the invention, a member such as a vas deferens is at least partly cut across so as to have a pair of separated portions. A valve has opposed ends which are inserted into the interiors of these separated portions, and at the same time a barrier is maintained between the separated portions so as to prevent the interiors thereof from communicating. The valve is maintained open until the vas heals and is then closed until it 'is is desired to reestablish fluid flow through the vas. Y

The valve of the invention has a pair of elongated opposed tubular portions which form, respectively, a valve inlet and a valve outlet. These tubular portions form part of the valve housing and are introduced into the separated portions of a member such as a vas deferens. The valve housing carries between the elongated opposed tubular portions thereof a barrier means for preventing the interiors of the separated portions of a member such as a vas from communicating with each other. This carrier means. preferably takes the form of a ring which surrounds the housing and which has a diameter great enough to prevent communication between the interiors of the separated portions of the member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation of a valve of the invention shown schematically within a vas deferens which is illustrated fragmentarily in a longitudinal section;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the valve structure of FIG. 1 shown by itself without the vas deferens and without any gold wire on the tubular ends of the valve;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation showing in section the valve structure of FIG. 1 with the valve in its closed position, FIG. 4 schematically illustrating the valve implanted within a vas;

FIG. 5 shows the valve of FIG. 4 in an open position just after it has been implanted, with FIG. 5 illustrating also how a needle of the invention is assembled with the valve;

FIG; 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation schematically illustrating another type valve which may be used according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a partly sectional elevation of another embodiment of a needle which may be used according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of another mannet in which it is possible to cut across a vas;

FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal sectional elevation of the vas of FIG. 8 showing a valve of the invention mounted therein, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional schematic longitudinal elevation of another embodiment of a method and structure according to the invention, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 11 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is a transvers section of the structure of FIG. 10 taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the manner in which a valve is constructed so that it may be implanted in an open condition and then closed subsequently after healing of the vas; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional plan view, on an enlarged scale as compared to FIG. 12, taken along line 1313 of FIG. 12 in the direction of the arrows and illustrating further details of the structure of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, there is schematically represented therein a part of a vas 10 of an adult human male. The vas 10 has the tubular vas proper 12 which is surrounded by the tissue 14.

Implanted within the vas is a valve 16 of the present invention. The details of the valve 16 are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, the valve 16 has a housing 18 provided with a pair of elongated

tubular portions

20 and 22 which form the valve inlet and outlet. It is to be understood that the valve can be oriented in either direction with either one of the tubular portions forming the inlet while the other forms the outlet. A movable means 24 is carried by the valve housing 18 in the interior thereof for opening and closing the valve. This movable means 24 in the illustrated example takes the form of a simple ball member formed with a bore 26 passing therethrough and capable of being aligned with the interiors of the

tubular portions

20 and 22 when the valve is open. In the closed position of the valve which is shown in FIG. 2, the bore 26 extends transversely across the valve axis so that the opposed ends of the bore 26 are closed by the inner surface of the valve housing. The movable means 24 is fixedly connected with and includes an elongated stem 28 which extends to the .exterior of the valve housing where the stem 28 is provided with any suitable means to enable the movable means 24 to be turned between its open and closed positions. In the illustrated example the stem 28 is provided with a simple opening 30 passing therethrough so that any pin can be introduced into the opening 30 to enable the movable means 24 to be turned. When the axis of the opening 30 is parallel to the valve axis the valve is closed while when the axis of the opening 30 extends transversely of the valve axis the valve is open. The valve is shown in section in its closed position in FIG. 4 and in its open position in FIG. 5.

In accordance with one of the primary features of the present invention, the valve housing 18 of the valve 16 is provided with a barrier means 32 the purpose of which is referred to below. This barrier means 32 takes the form, in the illustrated example, of a ring 34 which is integral with the remainder of the valve housing so as to form a one-piece body therewith, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. While it is possible to provide a split valve housing which has its sections interconnected with suitable seals in order to enclose the movable means 24, the one-piece construction is preferred. The

valve may be constructed according to the teachings of US. Pat. No. 3,616,520.

In accordance with the invention the diameter of the ring 34 is made sufficiently great so that it is not possible for separated portions of the vas, as referred to below, to grow together, so that the possibility of movement of sperm past the valve is reliably prevented.

Referring to FIGS. 1' and 4, it will be understood that initially the vas 10 illustrated therein forms a continuous tubular member the interior of which has the passage along which the sperm moves. In accordance with the method of the invention the vas 10 is cut across completely so as to form the pair of separated

portions

36 and 38. The

tubular portions

20 and 22 of the valve 16 are then introduced into the separated

portions

36 and 38. However, before these

tubular portions

20 and 22 of the valve 16 are introduced into the separated

portions

36 and 38 of the vas 10, a gold wire 40 is wrapped around the

tubular portions

20 and 22 of the valve 16. This gold wire forms a large number of haphazardly arranged interstices into which the vas grows, with the direction of growth being controlled by the various haphazard directions in which the wrappings of gold wire extend, so that in this way an intimate and se-.

cure connection between the vas and the

tubular portions

20 and 22 is assured.

At the same time it will be seen that the diameter of the barrier means 32 with respect to the diameter of the vas 10 is such that the separated

portions

36 and 38 of the vas 10 cannot possibly grow together. The barrier means 32 maintains these separated

portions

36 and 38 permanently separated from each other since they cannot grow together over the exterior surface of the barrier means 32. Thus with this construction it becomes impossible for any passage to form along the exterior of the valve through which sperm can move along and past the valve.

It is to be understood that the vas and the valve shown in the drawings are illustrated on an enlarged scale for the sake of clarity. The actual dimensions encountered in practice are much smaller. Experience has shown that when the elongated

tubular portions

20 and 22 of the valve are introduced into the separated portions of the vas, it is sometimes possible for inner surface portions of the vas to be pushed together so as to form an obstruction which will close the vas. In this event even if the valve is subsequently opened the vas remains obstructed and reestablishment of movement of sperm through the vas cannot be achieved.

In order to avoid this latter result the method and device shown in FIG. 5 are used in accordance with the present invention. Thus, referring to FIG. 5 it will be seen that when the valve 16 is introduced into the vas 10 the valve is placed in its open position shown in FIG. 5. With the valve in its open position an elongated needle 42 is inserted through the entire length of the valve. Because the movable means 24 is in its open position, the bore 26 thereof will be aligned with the interiors of the elongated

tubular portions

20 and 22 so that the needle 42 can extend through and beyond the entire valve as shown in FIG. 5. The length of the needle 42 is such that it has elongated

free end portions

44 and 46 which extend sufficiently beyond the

tubular portions

20 and 22 to enable these

end portions

44 and 46 of the needle to become situated well within the passage in the interior of the separated portions of the vas to reliably prevent obstruction of the interior of the vas during implantation of the valve of the invention. Thus, prior to implanting of the valve of the invention the valve is placed in the open position shown in FIG. 5 and the needle 42 is assembled therewith in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. Then, after the vas has been cut through so as to have the separated

portions

36 and 38, the assembly shown in FIGS is introduced into the vas so as to assume the position shown in FIG. 5. In this way obstruction of the vas itself is reliably avoided. After the valve has been implanted as shown in FIG. 5, the needle will be pushed longitudinally in one direction or the other. For example the end 44 will be moved to the right toward the valve so that the end 46 will project further beyond the valve. At this time the vas portion 38 is deflected in such a way that the end 46 will'be pushed through the wall of the vas to become accessible at the exterior of the vas, and now the surgeon can grasp the exposed end 46 of the needle and simply pullit directly through the wall of the'vas to the exterior thereoffln this simple way the needle 42 is removed. In the" case of a two-piece needle, as described below in connection with FIG. 7, the opposed ends of the needle can be pulled apart from each other and displaced out through the vas wall so that it is not necessary with the embodiment of FIG. 7 to pull the entire needle through the valve. I

Finally, the movable means 24 is turned to the position of FIGS. 1 and 4 so that the valve assumes its closed position, and thus flow of fluid through the passage is reliably prevented while at the same time it can be reestablished whenever desired by returning the valve to its open position.

It is to be noted that a particular type of valve is not essential to the present invention. Thus, it is emphasized that the rotary ball valve type of structure shown in FIGS. l-5 is not essential. Thus, FIG. 6 shows a valve 50 corresponding to the valve 16 and being in the form of a gate valve or needle valve. Thus with this construction, the elongated valve housing 52 also has the opposed tubular inlet and

outlet portions

54 and 56 with the circular ring portion 58 which forms the carrier means of the invention situated between the tubular inlet and outlet. The movable means which can be moved for opening and closing the valve means 50 takes the form of an elongated member 60 having a tapered tip 62 which when seated in the mating tapered recess 64 closes the valve. The valve means 50 is shown in FIG. 6 in its opencondition. The valve member60 is fixed to a rotary threaded portion 66 which is threaded into a bore 68 formed in the circular, ringshaped barrier means 58, so that by turning the threaded portion 66 the valve member 60 can be raised and lowered between its open and closed positions.

Thus, this valve means 50 may also be implanted in a vas as described above in connection with the valve means 16. When the valve means 50 is implanted it is placed in the open position shown in FIG. 6 so that the needle 42 can extend through the valve in the same way as shown in FIG. 5 with the valve means 16. Thus it is possible to use the valve of FIG. 6 in exactly the same way as the valve of F IGS. 1-5, while achieving the same results. 7

In addition, it is to be noted that the elongated needle 42 need not be in the form of a one-piece elongated member as shown in FIG. 5. As is illustrated in FIG. 7, the elongated needle 70 which corresponds to the needle 42 and is used in exactly the same way is made up of a pair of

elongated portions

72 and 74 which may be respectively introduced through the opposed open ends of the valve to be inserted through the elongated inlet and outlet tubular portions thereof. At their ends which abut each other the

elongated needle portions

72 and 74 are provided with a means 76 for holding these portions together. In the illustrated example this means 76 takes the form of a bore which is formed in the portion 74 and which receives an elongated portion 78 of reduced diameter extending from the portion 72. In this way the

portions

72 and 74 may be frictionally held together so that the two-piece needle may be used in precisely the same way as the one-piece needle 42.

Furthermore, it is not essential to cut completely across the vas in order to practice the present invention. For example, it is possible, as shown in FIG. 8, to cut only partly across the vas, so that part of the vas, such as the lower wall portion 80 thereof may continue without interruption. This feature may be of importance in connection with nerves which extend along the vas and which will not be severed in the event that a method as shown in FIG.- 8 is used. Thus, instead of cutting completely across the vas, with the feature illustrated in FIG. 8 the vas 82 is only partly cut across to remove a part thereof thus leaving the vas with the separated portions 84 and 86 which are interconnected by the wall portion 80A Once part of the vas has been cut away as shown in FIG. 8; the valve means, such as the valve means. 16, may be implanted as illustrated in FIG. 9. Of course, instead of using the valve means 16, as shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to use any other suitable valve means such as the valve means 50 of FIG. 6.

Furthermore, it is possible to achieve an exceedingly secure implanting of the valve by an arrangement as shown in FIGS. M) and 11. Thus, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 it will be seen that the valve means 90, which may be a valve of the same type as the valve 16 or any other suitable valve such as the valve 50, has a barrier means 92 which is formed with a plurality of bores 94 passing therethrough and distributed about the barrier means 92 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11. These bores 94 extend parallel to the elongated tubular inlet and outlet of the valve but are spaced outwardly beyond the tubular inlet and outlet in such a way that the tissue which forms the vas can grow through the bores 94. Thus, the initially separated

portions

96 and 98 of the vas can grow into and till the openings 94 in order to provide the vas, after a. period of time, with the portions 100 growing from the

portions

96 and 98 and filling the bores 94, thus achieving an exceedingly secure mounting of the valve means without any possibility of communication between the interiors of the separated portions of the vas.

According to a further important feature of the present invention, the valve means, irrespective of the details of its construction, is initially implanted in an open position. According to the invention, the valve means is not immediately closed after implanting thereof. It has been found from experience that it is not desirable to close the valve means immediately after implanting thereof, because the pressure of the fluid which builds up in the vas tends to retard the healing process. In order to avoid this latter disadvantage the valve means of the invention is implanted in an open position and in accordance with the invention remainsin its open position until healing of the vas is completed. In this way pressure of the fluid in the vas will not retard the healing process. Once the vas has healed th valve is closed in order to interrupt the flow of fluid through the vas until it is again desired to reestablish the flow of sperm, at which time the valve is opened.

In order to be able conveniently to close the valve from the exterior of the body, and subsequently to reopen the valve is desired, an arrangement as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be used in accordance with the present invention. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 the valve means 16 is also shown, but it is to be understood that any other suitable valve means such as that of FIG. 6 may be used, if desired. The valve means 16 has in its opening 30 an elongated bar magnet 102 which has opposed north and south poles as illustrated. The valve means 16 is made of a non-magnetic material. The barrier means 32 carries a pair of stop pins 104 which are positioned as shown in FIG. 13. The valve means 16 is initially in the open position shown in FIG. 12 where the bar magnet 102 has the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 13. This bar magnet 102 forms a magnetic means to be acted upon by an exterior magnetic force for closing and opening the valve means as described ing greater detail below.

Before the valve means 16 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is implanted, a cup 106 of a non-magnetic material is placed over the outer end of the valve stem 28 in en gagement with the exterior surface of the barrier means 32 so as to enclose the free end of the stem 28 and the magnet 102 as well as the stop pins 104. This enclosure means formed by the cup 106 is fixed in any suitable way to the barrier means 32 as by being welded or fused thereto or as by being attached thereto with any suitable adhesive.

Thus, with the valve means 16 initially having the condition shown in FIG. 12, the implanting operation is carried out and the valve means 16 is introduced without changing its condition sothat it remains in the open position shown in FIG. 12. This valve means 16 is permitted to remain in its open position so that the exterior tissue 14 which surrounds the vas 12 can grow over the valve means during healing of the vas. The vas is shown in its healed condition in FIG. 12 with the valve still open. Through this expedient there is no buildup of pressure in the interior of the vas tending to retard healing. FIG. 12 schematically illustrates the scrotum wall 108;

After the healing process has been completed, a unit 110 is placed next to the scrotum 108 adjacent the implanted valve means 16. This unit 110 is of a known construction having a rotary magnetic field when it is connected to a source of power. For example the unit 110 may take the form of a winding of electrically conductive wires similar to the field of an electric motor which when placed in a suitable electrical circuit will provide a rotating magnetic field. Thus, with the unit 110 connected into a suitable electrical circuit a rotary magnetic field is provided, and this field acts on the magnetic means 102 in such a way as to turn it in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 13, from the solid line position to the dot-dash line position engaging the stops 104 which prevent turning of the magnetic means 102 and which precisely locate the valve means in its closed position. In this way it is possible to close the valve means from the exterior of the body after the vas has healed. Now the flow of sperm will be interrupted. At any future time when it is desired to reestablish the flow the direction of rotation of the rotary magnetic field can be reversed so as to again turn the valve means to the position where the magnetic means 102 has the solid-line position shown in FIG. 13, and of course at any future time it is again possible to close the valve means through a repitition of the above procedure.

As is apparent from the above description, the method of the invention is exceedingly simple. It can be carried out in an extremely short time with very little inconvenience by a surgeon. Moreover, the structure of the valve is relatively simple so that all of the costs involved in connection with the method and device of the invention are relatively low. Thus, the method and device of the invention are readily available to all sectors of the population.

What is claimed is:

1. In a method for implanting a device such as a valve for reversibly interrupting the flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being, the steps of cutting at least partly across a member which has the passage in its interior, to provide the member with a pair of separated portions, inserting opposed ends of a device such as a valve into the interiors of the separated portions of the member while maintaining between the separated portions of the member, to prevent communication between said separated portions, a barrier having opposed end surfaces respectively intersecting and extending radially outwardly beyond said opposed ends of said device, and wrapping a filamentary material around the exteriors of the opposed ends of the device along said exteriors up to but terminating at the inter-v sections between said barrier and said opposed ends of the device while leaving said end surfaces of said barrier extending freely radially beyond the wrapped filamentary material with the latter being wrapped sufficiently to create between the wrappings small interstices for creating between interior surfaces of said sep; arated portions of said member and exterior surfaces of said opposed ends of said device which are respectively surrounded by said interior surfaces conditions for promoting rapid ingrowth of tissue into intimate contact with said opposed ends of said device for achieving a secure connection between the device and said separated portions of said member.

' 2. In a method for reversibly interrupting the flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being, the steps of cutting at least partly across a member which has the passage in its interior, to provide the member with a pair of separated portions, inserting opposed ends of a valve into the interiors of the separated portions of the member while maintaining a barrier between the separated portions of the member to prevent communication between said separated portions, and maintaining the valve in a closed position until it is desired to reestablish fluid flow along said passage, the valve being in an open position when it is introduced into said portions of said member, and further including the steps of initially inserting through the open valve an elongated needle which has elongated free end portions respectively extending beyond the opposed ends of the valve into the interiors of the separated portions to assure that said interiors are maintained open while the valve is introduced into said portions of said members, then pushing the needle at one end thereof toward the interior of the valve while the other end thereof is simultaneously advanced away from the valve, and simultaneously directing said other end of the needle through a wall which forms part of said member to situate said other end ofsaid needle out at the exterior of said member to enable the other end of the needle to be grasped for withdrawing the entire needle from the valve and from said member, whereby the interiors of said portions of said member are maintained open during insertion of the valve.

3. In a method as recited in claim 1 and wherein the creating of the conditions for rapid ingrowth of tissue includes the step of wrapping gold wire around the exteriors of the opposed ends of the device along said exteriors up to but terminating at said barrier, prior to introduction of said ends into said separated portions of said member so that said portions of said member will grow through interstices of the wrapped gold wire for providing a secure connection between said portions and said device. 1

4. In a method as recited in claim 1 and wherein said living being is a human being, said member being a vas deferens.

5. In a method as recited in claim land wherein the step of cutting is carried out completely across said member.

6. In a method as recited in claim 1 and wherein said step ofcutting is carried out only partly across said member.

7. In a method asrecited in claim 1 and wherein the device is a valvewhich is initially in an open position when opposed ends thereof are inserted into the separated portions of said member, maintaining the valve in its open position until said member heals, and then closing the valve after the member has healed. I

8. ha method as recited in claim 1 and including the step of providing in the barrier radially outwardly beyond said opposed ends of the device paths along which said member can grow together through the barrier outwardly and radially beyond the interiors of the separated portions thereof.-

9. A valve for reversibly interrupting the flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being, comprising an elongated valve housing having a pair of opposed elongated tubular portions respectively forming a valve inlet and a valve outlet, said tubular portions being adapted to be inserted into separated portions of a member of the living being which has the passage in its interior, movable means carried by said valve housing between saidinlet and outlet for movement between a closed position preventing flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and an open position permitting flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet, barrier means carried by said valve housing at the exterior thereof between said tubular portions to be situated between said separated portions of said member for preventing communication between said separated portions, said barrier means having opposed end surfaces respectively intersecting said elongated tubular portions and extending radially outwardly beyond said elongated tubular portions of said valve housing, and filamentary means wound around and extending along the exterior of said tubular portions up to and terminating at said intersections between said tubular portions and said barrier means with the end surfaces of the latter extending freely radially beyond said filamentary means, and said filamentary means being woundto an extent providing in the wound filamentary means interstices for promoting ingrowth of tissue along said tubular portions to achieve a secure connection with the separated portions of said member.

10. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said barrier means has the form of a ring carried by said valve housing at the exterior thereof and having a diameter great enough to prevent said portions of said member from growing over said ring.

11. The combination of claim 10 and wherein said ring and the remainder of said valve housing form a one-piece body.

12. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said means for promoting ingrowth of tissue includes gold wire wrapped around the exteriors of said tubular portions of said housing for providing a secure attachment of the separated portions of said member to said tubular portions of said housing.

13. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said barrier means is formed with at least one opening situtated radially outwardly beyond said tubular portions and passing through said barrier means at a location beyond the interior of said valve housing with said opening extending from one to the other of said end surfaces of said barrier means so that tissue of the living being can grow through said opening of said barrier means.

14. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said movable means carries a magnetically. responsive means responding to a rotating magnetic field which acts through said magnetically responsive means on said movable means to displace the latter between its open and closed positions, said magnetic means being in the form of a bar magnet carried by said movable means, enclosure means carried by said valve housing and enclosing said magnet, and means adapted to be located at the exterior of the body of the living being in the region of said magnetically responsive means for providing said rotating magnetic field acting on said magnetic means to displace said movable means between its closed and open positions.

15. A valve for reversibly interrupting the flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being, comprising an elongated valve housing having a pair of opposed elongated tubular portions respectively forming a valve inlet and a valve outlet, said tubular portions being adapted to be inserted into separated portions of a member of the living being which has the passage in its interior, movable means carried by said valve housing between said inlet and outlet for movement between a closed position preventing flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and an open position permitting flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet, and barrier means carried by said valve housing'at the exterior thereof between said tubular portions to be situated between said separated portions of said member for preventing communication between said separated portions, said movable means when in its open position providing said housing with a free interior space extending between and aligned with said tubular portions of said valve housing, and an elongated needle extending through said space and through and beyond said elongated tubular portions of said valve housing for projecting into the interior of said separated portions of said member when said tubular portions of said housing are introduced into said separated portions of said member, for maintaining the interior of said separated portions of said member open while the valve is introduced into said separated portions of said member,

be separately inserted respectively through said elongated tubular portions of said valve housing, said elongated portions of said needle having means for frictionally holding said portions together after insertion thereof through said tubular portions of said valve housing.

Claims

1. In a method for implanting a device such as a valve for reversibly interrupting the flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being, the steps of cutting at least partly across a member which has the passage in its interior, to provide the member with a pair of separated portions, inserting opposed ends of a device such as a valve into the interiors of the separated portions of the member while maintaining between the separated portions of the member, to prevent communication between said separated portions, a barrier having opposed end surfaces respectively intersecting and extending radially outwardly beyond said opposed ends of said device, and wrapping a filamentary material around the exteriors of the opposed ends of the device along said exteriors up to but terminating at the intersections between said barrier and said opposed ends of the device while leaving said end surfaces of said barrier extending freely radially beyond the wrapped filamentary material with the latter being wrapped sufficiently to create between the wrappings small interstices for creating between interior surfaces of said separated portions of said member and exterior surfaces of said opposed ends of said device which are respectively surrounded by said interior surfaces conditions for promoting rapid ingrowth of tissue into intimate contact with said opposed ends of said device for achieving a secure connection between the device and said separated portions of said member.

2. In a method for reversibly interrupting the flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being, the steps of cutting at least partly across a member which has the passage in its interior, to provide the member with a pair of separated portions, inserting opposed ends of a valve into the interiors of the separated portions of the member while maintaining a barrier between the separated portions of the member to prevent communication between said separated portions, and maintaining the valve in a closed position until it is desired to reestablish fluid flow along said passage, the valve being in an open position when it is introduced into said portions of said member, and further including the steps of initially inserting through the open valve an elongated needle which has elongated free end portions respectively extending beyond the opposed ends of the valve into the interiors of the separated portions to assure that said interiors are maintained open while the valve is introduced into said portions of said members, then pushing the needle at one end thereof toward the interior of the valve while the other end thereof is simultaneously advanced away from the valve, and simultaneously directing said other end of the needle through a wall which forms part of said member to situate said other end of said needle out at the exterior of said member to enable the other end of the needle to be grasped for withdrawing the entire needle from the valve and from said member, whereby the interiors of said portions of said member are maintained open during insertion of the valve.

3. In a method as recited in claim 1 and wherein the creating of the conditions for rapid ingrowth of tissue includes the step of wrapping gold wire around the exteriors of the opposed ends of the device along said exteriors up to but terminating at said barrier, prior to introduction of said ends into said separated portions of said member so that said portions of said member will grow through interstices of the wrapped gold wire for providing a secure connection between said portions and said device.

5. In a method as recited in claim 1 and wherein the step of cutting is carried out completely across said member.

6. In a method as recited in claim 1 and wherein said step of cutting is carried out only partly across said member.

7. In a method as recited in claim 1 and wherein the device is a valve which is initially in an open position when opposed ends thereof are inserted into the separated portions of said member, maintaining the valve in its open position until said member heals, and then closing the valve after the member has healed.

8. In a method as recited in claim 1 and including the step of providing in the barrier radially outwardly beyond said opposed ends of the device paths along which said member can grow together through the barrier outwardly and radially beyond the interiors of the separated portions thereof.

9. A valve for reversibly interrupting the flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being, comprising an elongated valve housing having a pair of opposed elongated tubular portions respectively forming a valve inlet and A valve outlet, said tubular portions being adapted to be inserted into separated portions of a member of the living being which has the passage in its interior, movable means carried by said valve housing between said inlet and outlet for movement between a closed position preventing flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and an open position permitting flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet, barrier means carried by said valve housing at the exterior thereof between said tubular portions to be situated between said separated portions of said member for preventing communication between said separated portions, said barrier means having opposed end surfaces respectively intersecting said elongated tubular portions and extending radially outwardly beyond said elongated tubular portions of said valve housing, and filamentary means wound around and extending along the exterior of said tubular portions up to and terminating at said intersections between said tubular portions and said barrier means with the end surfaces of the latter extending freely radially beyond said filamentary means, and said filamentary means being wound to an extent providing in the wound filamentary means interstices for promoting ingrowth of tissue along said tubular portions to achieve a secure connection with the separated portions of said member.

14. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said movable means carries a magnetically responsive means responding to a rotating magnetic field which acts through said magnetically responsive means on said movable means to displace the latter between its open and closed positions, said magnetic means being in the form of a bar magnet carried by said movable means, enclosure means carried by said valve housing and enclosing said magnet, and means adapted to be located at the exterior of the body of the living being in the region of said magnetically responsive means for providing said rotating magnetic field acting on said magnetic means to displace said movable means between its closed and open positions.

15. A valve for reversibly interrupting the flow of fluid along a passage in the body of a living being, comprising an elongated valve housing having a pair of opposed elongated tubular portions respectively forming a valve inlet and a valve outlet, said tubular portions being adapted to be inserted into separated portions of a member of the living being which has the passage in its interior, movable means carried by said valve housing between said inlet and outlet for movement between a closed position preventing flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and an open position permitting flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet, and barrier means carried by said valve housing at the exterior thereof between said tubular portions to be situated between said separated portions of said member for preventing communication between said separated portions, said movaBle means when in its open position providing said housing with a free interior space extending between and aligned with said tubular portions of said valve housing, and an elongated needle extending through said space and through and beyond said elongated tubular portions of said valve housing for projecting into the interior of said separated portions of said member when said tubular portions of said housing are introduced into said separated portions of said member, for maintaining the interior of said separated portions of said member open while the valve is introduced into said separated portions of said member, whereby after implanting of the valve the needle may be removed.

16. The combination of claim 15 and wherein said needle is in the form of a single elongated one-piece member.

17. The combination of claim 15 and wherein said needle is composed of a pair of elongated portions to be separately inserted respectively through said elongated tubular portions of said valve housing, said elongated portions of said needle having means for frictionally holding said portions together after insertion thereof through said tubular portions of said valve housing.