Noninvasive Laser Vasectomy

Background

Surgical sterilization is currently the most common method of contraception among married couples in the United States. Male sterilization (vasectomy) has a higher success rate, lower morbidity and mortality rate, is less expensive, and easier to perform than female sterilization (tubal ligation) Despite these advantages, however, female sterilization is more commonly performed. Fear of complications related to surgery was frequently cited as the primary reason for a couple choosing tubal ligation instead of vasectomy While there have been no reported cases of vasectomy-related deaths in the United States, there are 10-20 deaths each year due to tubal ligation. Complication rates of vasectomy, including sterilization failure and injuries, are consistently low. However, several studies have reported much higher rates of infection, which may be due primarily to the experience of the physician performing the procedure. This high rate of infection could aid in explaining why, despite being a procedure with a proven safety record, men seem less likely to undergo surgical sterilization then women.

Complications with conventional surgical vasectomy and efforts to enhance the popularity of vasectomy have motivated the search for a less invasive vasectomy technique. In recent years, the “no-scalpel” vasectomy technique has been developed to minimize complications associated with incision during the procedure. This method eliminates the use of the scalpel, results in fewer hematomas and infections, and leaves a smaller wound than conventional methods. The success of this method is proven by a complete reversal in the ratio of male to female sterilizations in regions of the world where this procedure is commonly utilized. However, despite the name “no-scalpel-vasectomy”, this procedure still requires a puncture through the skin and does not completely eliminate the possibility of bleeding, infection, and scrotal pain.

Technology Overview

A compact, Ytterbium fiber laser is utilized to provide deep penetration of the laser energy through the skin to the targeted vas deferens. Cryogen spray cooling of the tissue surface is used to prevent scrotal skin burns during the procedure. Both the laser radiation and cryogen spray are delivered in a non-contact mode to the tissue. This approach allows for a conventional no-scalpel vasectomy method to be applied for separating and isolating the vas under the scrotal skin prior to vasectomy, using a standard vasectomy clamp. This procedure also preserves the surgical field-of-view, potentially allowing the urologist to visually monitor the skin surface during subsurface heating of the vas and prevent the formation of scrotal skin burns.

Benefits

• Improved safety and reliability compared to other methods of male sterilization
• Allows for vasectomies to be fully conducted without the need to penetrate the skin
• Dramatically lowers risk of infection

Applications

• Male sterilization

Opportunity

UNC Charlotte is looking for a commercial partner to bring this technology to market. Exclusive patent license available with flexible and favorable terms.