Intra vas device

The intra vas device is a proposed contraceptivedevice for men, analogous to the intrauterine device(IUD) for women. It is meant to be a reversible alternative to a vasectomy. Vasectomies have a poor rate of successful reversals, and should be considered permanent.

It consists of a flexible, hollow siliconeplug, about a millimetrein diameter, that is inserted into the vas deferensand blocks the flow of spermfrom the testes to the seminal glands. The surgical procedure is said be as involved as a vasectomy and takes about 20 minutes.

The first human trials for safety were approved by Ottawain 2001. Early test in humans and clinical tests in monkeys showed that the devices worked to block sperm as effectively as vasectomies. As of 2005, human clinical trials are being performed to evaluate its effectiveness as a contraceptive.

It is being developed at the Shepherd Medical Company in Vancouverby Dr. Neil Pollock, a specialist in no-scalpel vasectomies. Shepherd Medical has received a 1.4 million dollar grantfrom the U.S. National Institutes of Healthfor the clinical trials.

See also

• RISUG
• Male oral contraceptive
• Vasectomy
• Intrauterine device

External links

• U.S. Patent 6,513,528
• Press release on Dr. Pollock's website
• Another article
• Birth control for men promising? has some extra details and information about current trials
• Reversible male implant may be future of contraception
• Birth control breakthrough ? But will it hold mass appeal?(picture appears to be a mistake)

• Information about Chinese versions? using MPU medical-grade polyurethane, and MSR medical-grade silicone rubber
• Information about a silicone rubber version, the shug? anchored with a suture

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intra+vas+device Wikipedia article Intra vas device.