Dual-mode valve assembly for male contraception

Abstract

A valve assembly adapted for implantation into the vas deferens of a male patient. The valve assembly is operable in a first mode to block the flow of sperm and in a second mode to permit the flow of sperm. The surgeon is permitted to shift the valve assembly between its first and second functional modes by moving a moveable valve member. The valve assembly includes a valve retention feature for releaseably retaining the valve member is a selected position associated with each of the two distinct functional modes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual-mode valve assembly for implantation into the vas deferens of a male patient, the valve assembly comprising:
 a housing including a valve chamber, a retention chamber, an inlet section having an inlet passage communicating with said valve chamber, and an outlet section having an outlet passage communicating with said valve chamber, wherein said inlet section is adapted to be inserted into a first free end of the vas deferens and said outlet section is adapted to be inserted into a second free end of the vas deferens; and   a valve member having a flow aperture, a tool receipt feature, and a resilient leg segment, said valve member is moveable within said valve chamber of said housing between first and second positions, said valve member is operable in its first position to inhibit fluid flow through said flow aperture from said inlet passage to said outlet passage so as to define a first functional mode, said valve member is operable in its second position to permit fluid flow through said flow aperture from said inlet passage to said outlet passage so as to define a second functional mode, said tool receipt feature is operable to receive a tool for moving said valve member between its first and second positions, and said resilient leg segment is operable to maintain said valve member in the selected one of its first and second positions, wherein said leg segment is disposed within a first retention pocket formed in said retention chamber when said valve member is located in its first position and is disposed within a second retention pocket formed in said retention chamber when said valve member is located in its second position, and wherein a cam surface is disposed between said first and second pockets for maintaining said leg segment in a selected one of said first and second retention pockets.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly of  claim 1  wherein said valve member is rotatably supported within said valve chamber for rotary movement between its first and second positions. 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly of  claim 1  wherein said valve member is slidably supported within said valve chamber for translational movement between its first and second positions. 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly of  claim 1  wherein said retention chamber communicates with said valve chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly of  claim 4  wherein said valve member further includes a resilient second leg segment that is retained within an annular groove formed in said housing. 
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly of  claim 5  wherein said annular groove is disposed between said valve chamber and said retention chamber. 
     
     
         7 . A dual-mode valve assembly for implantation into the vas deferens of a male patient, the valve assembly comprising:
 a housing defining a valve chamber, a retention chamber, an inlet section having an inlet passage communicating with said valve chamber, and an outlet section having an outlet passage communicating with said valve chamber, wherein said inlet section is adapted to be inserted into a first end of the vas deferens and said outlet section is adapted to be inserted into a second end of the vas deferens; and   a valve member rotatably supported in said valve chamber and said retention chamber for rotation between first and second positions, said valve member having a flow aperture located in said valve chamber, a tool receipt feature, and a resilient leg segment located in said retention chamber, said valve member being operable in its first position to orient said flow aperture to inhibit fluid communication between said inlet passage and said outlet passage so as to define a first functional mode, said valve member is operable in its second position to orient said flow aperture to permit fluid communication between said inlet passage and said outlet passage so as to define a second functional mode, said tool receipt feature is adapted to receive a tool to facilitate rotation of said valve member between its first and second positions, and said leg segment cooperates with said retention chamber for maintaining said valve member in the selected one of its first and second positions, wherein said retention chamber includes a first retention pocket and a second retention pocket, and wherein said leg segment is disposed within said first retention pocket when said valve member is rotated to its first position and said leg segment is disposed within said second retention pocket when said valve member is rotated to its second position.   
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly of  claim 7  wherein said retention chamber communicates with said valve chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The valve assembly of  claim 8  wherein said valve member further includes a resilient second leg segment biased into retention within an annular groove formed in said housing. 
     
     
         10 . The valve assembly of  claim 9  wherein said annular groove is disposed between said valve chamber and said retention chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A valve assembly for implantation into the vas deferens of a male patient, the valve assembly comprising:
 a housing defining a valve chamber, an inlet section having an inlet passage communicating with said valve chamber, and an outlet section having an outlet passage communicating with said valve chamber, wherein said inlet section is adapted for insertion into a first end of the vas deferens and said outlet section is adapted for insertion into a second end of the vas deferens; and   a valve member supported for sliding movement within said valve chamber between first and second positions, said valve member having a flow aperture, a tool receipt feature and a valve retention feature, said valve member is operable in its first position to orient said flow aperture so as to inhibit fluid communication between said inlet passage and said outlet passage and is operable in its second position to orient said flow aperture to permit fluid communication between said inlet passage and said outlet passage, said tool receipt feature is associated with said valve member to facilitate translational movement of said valve member between its first and second positions, and said valve retention feature includes a resilient leg formed on said valve member, a first retention notch formed in said valve chamber that is adapted to retain said leg therein when said valve member is located in its first position, and a second retention notch formed in said valve chamber that is adapted to retain said leg therein when said valve member is located in its second position.   
     
     
         12 . The valve assembly according to  claim 11  further including a resilient second leg formed on said valve member, a pair of said first retention notches, and a pair of said second retention notches, wherein said first and second legs are retained in said pair of first retention notches when said valve member is located in its first position, and wherein said first and second legs are retained in said pair of second retention notches when said valve member is located in its second position. 
     
     
         13 . The valve assembly according to  claim 12  wherein said first and second legs extend outwardly from a peripheral edge of said valve member and are oppositely disposed thereon.