Vasectomy 

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Focused Ultrasound Therapy

Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients desiring a vasectomy. This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasound energy precisely and accurately on targets within the body without damaging surrounding normal tissue.

How it Works
Where the beams converge, focused ultrasound produces precise ablation (thermal destruction of tissue) enabling vasectomy to be accomplished with minimal (and possibly without any) invasion of the body. While significant preclinical work has been accomplished, human trials have not yet begun.

Advantages
For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a noninvasive alternative to surgery with less risk of complications and lower cost. It can reach the desired target without damaging surrounding tissue and is repeatable, if necessary. Focused ultrasound also does not carry added concerns associated with acid agents.

Clinical Trials

At the present time, there are no clinical trials recruiting patients for focused ultrasound vasectomy.

Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement 

Focused ultrasound vasectomy is not yet approved by regulatory bodies or covered by medical insurance companies.

Notable Papers

Roberts WW, Wright EJ, Fried NM, Nicol T, Jarrett TW, Kavoussi LR, Solomon SB. High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation of the epididymis in a canine model: a potential alternative to vasectomy. J Endourol. 2002 Oct;16(8):621-5.

Roberts WW, Chan DY, Fried NM, Wright EJ, Nicol T, Jarrett TW, Kavoussi LR, Solomon SB. High intensity focused ultrasound ablation of the vas deferens in a canine model. J Urol. 2002 Jun;167(6):2613-7.

Fried NM, Sinelnikov YD, Pant BB, Roberts WW, Solomon SB. Noninvasive vasectomy using a focused ultrasound clip: thermal measurements and simulations. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2001 Dec;48(12):1453-9.

Click here for additional references from PubMed.

Early Stage