Electrical and Thermal Properties of a Novel Radiopaque Implant for the Adiana® Permanent Contraception System

Abstract

Study ObjectiveTo quantify the electrical and thermal conductivity of a novel radiopaque implant compatible with the Adiana® Permanent Contraception System and to compare these values to the FDA-approved implant. During the Adiana procedure, a 100% fully-cured silicone implant with a solid core surrounded by a porous, trabeculated architecture is introduced hysteroscopically into the fallopian tube. The implant functions as a scaffold for tissue in-growth which leads to total tubal occlusion. Confirmation of occlusion by hysterosalpingography (HSG) is required; however, the Adiana implant cannot be seen in the fluoroscopic image.DesignLaboratory, engineering study.SettingResearch and development laboratory.InterventionAn experimental radiopaque implant with a combination of 15% tantalum (Ta)/85% silicone in the core to allow visualization during fluoroscopy was evaluated.Measurements and Main ResultsTabled 1Thermal and Electrical Conductivity of the Adiana Silicone and Radiopaque Silicone MaterialsMaterialThermal Conductivity [W/m-K]Electrical Conductivity [S/m]Radiopaque0.322 ± 0.181<10−10Adiana silicone0.216 ± 0.015<10−10Silicone0.15-0.3210−12-10−13Myometrial tissue0.5360.5 Open table in a new tab The Adiana implant is thermally and electrically insulating relative to myometrial tissue. While the radiopaque material shows a slight increase in thermal conductivity, this value is well below the thermal conductivity of the myometrium. Any heat generated in the surrounding myometrium would tend to travel in the tissue rather than the implants.ConclusionA combination of 15% Ta/85% silicone in the implant core does not significantly alter the electrical or thermal properties of the Adiana implant. Study ObjectiveTo quantify the electrical and thermal conductivity of a novel radiopaque implant compatible with the Adiana® Permanent Contraception System and to compare these values to the FDA-approved implant. During the Adiana procedure, a 100% fully-cured silicone implant with a solid core surrounded by a porous, trabeculated architecture is introduced hysteroscopically into the fallopian tube. The implant functions as a scaffold for tissue in-growth which leads to total tubal occlusion. Confirmation of occlusion by hysterosalpingography (HSG) is required; however, the Adiana implant cannot be seen in the fluoroscopic image. To quantify the electrical and thermal conductivity of a novel radiopaque implant compatible with the Adiana® Permanent Contraception System and to compare these values to the FDA-approved implant. During the Adiana procedure, a 100% fully-cured silicone implant with a solid core surrounded by a porous, trabeculated architecture is introduced hysteroscopically into the fallopian tube. The implant functions as a scaffold for tissue in-growth which leads to total tubal occlusion. Confirmation of occlusion by hysterosalpingography (HSG) is required; however, the Adiana implant cannot be seen in the fluoroscopic image. DesignLaboratory, engineering study. Laboratory, engineering study. SettingResearch and development laboratory. Research and development laboratory. InterventionAn experimental radiopaque implant with a combination of 15% tantalum (Ta)/85% silicone in the core to allow visualization during fluoroscopy was evaluated. An experimental radiopaque implant with a combination of 15% tantalum (Ta)/85% silicone in the core to allow visualization during fluoroscopy was evaluated. Measurements and Main ResultsTabled 1Thermal and Electrical Conductivity of the Adiana Silicone and Radiopaque Silicone MaterialsMaterialThermal Conductivity [W/m-K]Electrical Conductivity [S/m]Radiopaque0.322 ± 0.181<10−10Adiana silicone0.216 ± 0.015<10−10Silicone0.15-0.3210−12-10−13Myometrial tissue0.5360.5 Open table in a new tab The Adiana implant is thermally and electrically insulating relative to myometrial tissue. While the radiopaque material shows a slight increase in thermal conductivity, this value is well below the thermal conductivity of the myometrium. Any heat generated in the surrounding myometrium would tend to travel in the tissue rather than the implants. The Adiana implant is thermally and electrically insulating relative to myometrial tissue. While the radiopaque material shows a slight increase in thermal conductivity, this value is well below the thermal conductivity of the myometrium. Any heat generated in the surrounding myometrium would tend to travel in the tissue rather than the implants. ConclusionA combination of 15% Ta/85% silicone in the implant core does not significantly alter the electrical or thermal properties of the Adiana implant. A combination of 15% Ta/85% silicone in the implant core does not significantly alter the electrical or thermal properties of the Adiana implant.