July 3, 1962 1-. READ 3,042,021
' BYPASS TYPE INSERT PLUG FOR BODY PASSAGEWAY Filed Nov. 25, 1958 I Ff l2 Thane Read 1N VEN TOR.
a062 BY M My United States Patent 3,042,021 BYPASS TYPE ENSERT PLUG FUR RUDY PASAGEWAY Thane Read, Rte. 1, lion 470, Tempe, Ariz. Filed Nov. 25, 1953, Ser. No. 776,357 1 Claim. (Cl. 128--1) The present invention generally relates to a plug for a body passageway and more particularly to such a plug which will not only stop the flow through such a passageway but will also bypass the material normally flowing in the passageway to another area with the device being particularly adapted for insertion into the vas deferens which is the passageway inter-connecting the testicles with the ejaculatory duct for delivering sperm cells to the ejaculatory duct for mixing with the semen.
The male genital organs include a passageway leading from the testicles to the ejaculatory canal or duct and which is known as the vas deferens. The sperm cells passing through the vas deferens mix with the semen and may subsequently be discharged. in some instances, it is desirable to prevent the how of sperm into the semen. The vas deferens is a relatively thick wall passage having an internal diameter of approximately of an inch and located closely adjacent to the internal surface of the skin of the scrotum. This has been accomplished in certain instances by completely closing or tying off the vas deferens. However, this is objectionable due to the tendency of the gland which produces the sperm to cease functioning in the event there is no further demand for the same and that which has been produced backs into the glands. Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an insert plug for insertion into the vas deferens which will bypass the sperm normally passing through the vas deferens into the interior of the scrotum which will not be detrimental to the individual involved due to the minute quantity of material discharged into the scrotum and due to the tendency of the body to absorb such excess liquids.
Another important object of the present invention is provide a device in accordance with the preceding object in which the insertion and removal of the same is extremely easy to accomplish although it necessitates the puncturing of the skin of the scrotum and also the vas deferens by way of a puncture wound or by use of a scalpel or other surgical instrument. It is preferable that the insertion be made by way of a puncture wound since a puncture wound has less tendency to produce an excessive amount of scar tissue when healing.
Another important feature of the present invention is to provide an insert plug in accordance with the preceding object which is exceedingly simple in construction, non-toxic, easy to insert, effective for its particular purposes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of the insert plug and the vas deferens passage illustrating the relation of the same to the skin of the scrotum;
FIGURE 2 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 1 but illustrating the manner in which the plug is inserted;
FIGURE 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 33 of FIGURE 1 illustrating further structural details of the plug; and
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the plug.
Referring now specifically to the drawing, thenumeral 10 generally designates the insert plug of the present invention which includes a generallycylindrical body 12 having one end thereof rounded and pointed as indicated by thenumeral 14 and having acylindrical passageway 16 extending inwardly from the other end thereof. Intermediate the ends and adjacent the center of thecylindrical member 12 is a tubularcylindrical member 18 extending in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of thecylindrical member 12 and having a passage 25? therein communicating with thepassageway 16 as clearly illustrated in FIGURES -l and 2.
The plug ii) is inserted into the vas deferens passageway 2?. with thecylindrical member 18 extending through thewall 24 thereof. Thecylindrical passageway 16 faces the direction of flow or faces the gland which produces the sperm while the pointed closedend 14 faces away from the source of flow and generally faces the ejaculatory duct. Thecylindrical passageway 20 communicates thepassageway 22 with thespace 26 between thevas deferens wall 24 and the inner surface of the skin of the scrotum. Thus, the sperm passing through thevas deferens 22 will be discharged through thepassageway 16 and passageway 2i) and into thearea 26 on the interior of the scrotum wherein the secretions will be absorbed back into the body.
In inserting the plug, there is provided a cylindrical handle 36 which is inserted into thecylindrical member 18 and thus enabling theplug 10 to be inserted throughopenings 32 and 34 formed in the skin 23 and thewall 24 respectively thus permitting the roundedpointed end 14 to be positioned away from the direction of flow and thecylindrical passage 16 facing the direction from which the sperm cells flow.
As stated previously, thepassageway 22 is of small dimension being generally in the neighborhood of an inch in diameter thus enabling theplug 10 to be of an extremely small size so that a verysmall opening 32 or 34 is necessary. The wall 24' of the vas deferens will close around the Wall of thecylindrical member 18 and also the wall of thecylindrical member 12 thus sealing the plug to thevas deferens 24. Since there is no restriction to the flow of sperm, there will be no tendency for such flow to reohannel itself around the plug. The plug may be constructed of any suitable material used for insertions into the human body which are non-toxic and which are constructed in such a manner that they may be located by a fluoroscope or similar device.
By sharpening therounded end 14 to a point, it is possible that the plug itself may be used as a puncturing instrument so that when the vas deferens is held in proper relation to the skin, the plug may be inserted directly into the vas deferens thus reducing the time required for insertion of the plug. However, it is preferable that a needle or similar puncture instrument be used first to puncture the skin and vas deferens. Also thehandle 3% may be as long as desired for controlling insertion of the plug. Due to the normal functioning of the glands which produce the sperm cells, there will be no damage to such glands. Further, the plug may be removed at any time by reversing the installation procedure with the vas deferens then operating in the usual manner for conducting the sperm cells to the ejaculatory canal.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and 3 equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.
What is claimed as new is as follows:
The method of bypassing sperm flow from the vas deferens body passageway into the interior of the scrotum between the sperm secreting gland to which one end of the vas deferens is communicated and the ejaculatory duct to which the other end of the vas deferens is communicated, said method consisting of the steps of making an incision in the wall of the scrotum and in the wall of the vas deferens, blocking off the vas deferens between the incision and ejaculatory duct, and maintaining communication through the incision in the wall of the vas References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Schnee Nov. 25, 1947 OTHER REFERENCES Henry B. 'Pancoast Co., Pipe Failing and Awning- Frame Fittings, Catalogue E, received in Patent Ofiice October 23, 1911,page 10.