good news for men.

The vasectomy you can switch on and off at the push of a button
By PAT HAGAN - More by this author »

Last updated at 01:25am on 5th February 2008


Vasectomies could be a thing of the past thanks to a remotecontrolled implant that can stop the flow of sperm.

The valve-like device can be opened and shut at the press of a button, using the same technology that locks a car using a key fob.

Scientists who invented the implant say it could be used as a form of male contraception.

Men who change their minds about having children would then simply point the remote handset at their testicles and press a button to open up the valve.

More than 40,000 vasectomies are carried out every year in the UK. Of those, around 2,500 men will later choose to undergo a reversal, often due to a desire to have children with a new partner.

The procedure usually involves making two small cuts near each testicle and cutting the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm. A small section of each tube is removed and the two ends sealed, either by tying a knot in them or heating them up with a probe.


The procedure is carried out with a local anaesthetic and the dissolvable stitches usually disappear within a week.

Reversal involves sewing the two cut ends back together. But it only works in around 50 per cent of cases, often because scarring where the cuts were made mean sperm cannot get through.

Research also suggests vasectomies leave many men with abnormalities in their sperm that could dramatically reduce the chances of fathering a child.

The remote-controlled implant, which is still at the very early stages of testing, could be a much more attractive alternative.

It is made from silicone-based materials, which the body's defence mechanisms usually recognise as friendly, so reducing the risk of reaction or infection.

As it is no larger than a grain of rice, it can be inserted into each sperm- carrying tube using a needle.

Professor Derek Abbott, who heads the research team at the University of Adelaide, said the idea is that the valve remains shut most of the time and acts as a contraceptive barrier.

A man would then use the handset, or fob, to open it around the time of having sex if he and his partner wanted to conceive.

Once the handset is pressed, it sends a coded radio signal through the skin to the implant, which contains a tiny antenna. The antenna picks up the signal and converts it into sound waves that "ripple" through the valve.

Since the valve itself is soft and flexible, the sound waves make it flap open - allowing sperm to pass through. As with cars, each device would have its own unique code so it could not be opened by anyone else.

"It's based on a radio signal, like the device on your key ring, which is coded so that you cannot open someone else's car," Professor Abbott says.

'The device is normally closed - and that's the way you want it 99.9 per cent of the time. It only opens when the remote is activated.

The valve then opens and shuts rapidly, and this is actually better for conception because this oscillating action helps to massage, or push, the sperm through.

"The really clever bit is that the valve has no battery and all the energy comes from the radio signal itself."

The implant is still undergoing laboratory tests before being tried on animals. Human studies are unlikely to take place until those experiments are complete.

The breakthrough is the latest in a series of advances in the field of remote- control medicine, where doctors can control gadgets or drugs deep inside the body at the push of a button.

Last year, researchers at the University of Technology in Sydney announced they had come up with a remote-control bladder valve for women affected by urinary incontinence.

A valve implanted near the neck of the bladder is opened and closed with a TV-style handset. The device could eventually help up to five million women in Britain affected by urinary incontinence.

Meanwhile, cancer specialists are investigating how drugcarrying 'bombs' can be detonated by remote control once they are next to the tumour deep inside the body.

One technique is to encase drugs in bubbles made of fat to smuggle them past the immune system, then use a remote- control ultrasound device to pop the bubbles, releasing the drug inside.

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

Devil's Advocate Time

What if the guy is sleeping and the woman oopses him by changing the electronic device? If a man wants to be childfree, he should opt for the Big V as I did with a tubal rather than let ego take over about how he needs to reproduce if he meets a new younger woman.

The 'ooopsie' could go the other way as well.
And, is one absolutely SURE that valve closed/opened???
Man, I can see the defective product lawsuits now...
Is there somewhere I can invest in stock for lawyers?

This does not sound like a good idea to me.

anything that increaes the main 3 ways, is worth it.

men have 3 forms of birth control. abstinence, condoms and vasectomy.

thats it.. anything to increase the amount of male choice its all for the good.

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

two cents ¢¢ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The 'ooopsie' could go the other way as well.
> And, is one absolutely SURE that valve
> closed/opened???

That would be my concern if I was male and contemplating that thing. I would want it closed for-fucking'-ever! Worst thing a man can do is have a baby with a woman. He is $$$ fucked for life. Fuck 'dat shit about maybe wanting a baby with a hottie later on when ego is running rampant. Just get a new car. That will solve the ego problem.

> Man, I can see the defective product lawsuits
> now...
> Is there somewhere I can invest in stock for
> lawyers?

Tell me about it...

what about those men who dont want kids YET, but may in the future.

this will allow them some thought and some choice for their own responsibility.

unless some people dont want to see men with more choice.

the right to choose when to have a child. and to not have one if THEY dont want too.

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

Every form of birth control does have a failure rate, up to and including sterilization. The best option would be for a man to have a periodic sperm count done, say every year or two, just to make sure that the vasectomy is, as we say in medicine, "patent"--meaning it still works.

yes, but the more thats used the chances are reduced fantasically..

if there was a young man just going out, and he wants to enjoy life as a lot of women do today.. and they dont want to leave any babies around.. wouldnt it be better if they had the choice before accidental oops or drunken fatherhood (or motherhood). the more forms of birth control for everyone is better than the far fewer men have 3 for men, and about 17 versions for women (some use different chemicals for the same effect). wouldnt that be better.

the more the merrier in the case of birth control...

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

It is true that multiple forms of birth control certainly lower the chance of failure in each method used. Given the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases resistant to antibiotics, using safer sex methods is beyond prudence and is a necessity.

i agree, but if you can combine which you can do in the case of some female forms of birth control.. so much the better

and it would stop the oopsing if you use a condom and the implant..

i am thinking it would stop a lot of the younger adults (men) over the age of consent to when they want a child if they want one. give them time to consider the alternatives and not get trapped into fatherhood and then would resent the woman and child.. thats what i meant..

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

The man could attach a chain to this remote and keep it in a pocket. You know like a wallet on a chain. Heh.
And maybe the guy could have a security code on it and have an alarm if someone's f'ing with it.

I don't believe there is anyway to stop oopsing, beyond sterilizing everyone until they pass a test to prove they're good parenting material.
As long as the baby-rabid exist, of either gender, they'll figure out a way.

"It truly is the one commonality that every designation of humans you can think of has, there's at least one asshole."
--Me

yes but limit it, maybe put the beeper in a locked box or in a safe.. and don t take it out with you. permanently off until you decide

yes nour, its an option, anything to decrease unwanted children. is fine in my book.

yes feh thats what could happen with this thing.. permanently turned off until they reach majority.. do a test then its turned on.. (it wont happen maybe not for decades) but it will limit it. and thats good as well

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

I was semi-joking Merc, but I'm all for men having more BC options.

I was also semi-joking. I don't believe forced sterilization of the entire population as a good thing, simply because I believe your body is your private property to do with what you wish and that everyone has the right to be free of forced medical procedures. Medical alterations of people's bodies against their will is just not cool in my book.

Men should have as many bc options as possible, of course. But simply having options won't end oopsing. One has to use them, and one has to have a partner who agrees with your life choices.

"It truly is the one commonality that every designation of humans you can think of has, there's at least one asshole."
--Me

i know but sometimes the jokes are valid.. i usually find my cynicism which is massive, quite frequently isnt as bad as the real world.

of course you could link the key fob to a light.. so when he is "dangerous" he nose or other organs light up ..

but the frightening this is feh is i can actually see it happening in the future, it may be a good thing or not.. if the world population keep growing.. something like that will have to be done, logans run, soylant green.

its a small step from the chinese 1 birth per couple to temporary sterilisation,

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

While I appreciate your love of the classics of the overpopulation genre, I have a hard time using them as a blueprint for the future...at least as it will flesh out within my lifetime. What happens beyond my lifetime, well that's up to someone's kids isn't it?

Having a government policy that strongly encourages a family to limit their size through education and limiting monetary benefits is vastly different from a government policy that forces medical intrusions on one's physical body. I do not agree with the Chinese policy of forced abortion any more than I would agree with forced sterilization. However, I do think that breeding could be controlled a little better if people weren't essentially paid by certain governments per child they expel.

"It truly is the one commonality that every designation of humans you can think of has, there's at least one asshole."
--Me

The problem is that women already have medical procedures forced on them. You can't go into a clinic or Doctors office for antibiotics for an ear infection unless you consent to a fucking pelvic exam.

In teaching hospitals, they routinely perform gynecological exams on sedated women without their consent. They don't perform prostate exams on sedated men, though.

But, hey, that's different, right?

Wow, I don't know where you go for care but I guess things are much different here. Sure, I have to have a pelvic exam to continue to receive birth control, but I've never had to submit to one against my will for any other reason. Or really for that reason, it's a good idea to get your vag checked once in a while. About folks doing exams on sedated people...I don't know from that either. And if it is happening, it isn't right and people should work to end that practice.

Actually all men who get prostrate exams are sedated...or maybe that's for colonoscopies, but I think that's probably because it's easier to get something up someones butt when they're passed out and relaxed.

"It truly is the one commonality that every designation of humans you can think of has, there's at least one asshole."
--Me

prostate is never done sedated.. or very very very very rarely.

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

mercurior Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> prostate is never done sedated.. or very very very
> very rarely.

The point was that if they're sticking things up a person's ass, that person might choose to be sedated as opposed sticking things up the asses of already sedated people. The type of exam was irrelevant to my argument, not being a medical doctor I don't have deep knowledge of all medical procedures.

"It truly is the one commonality that every designation of humans you can think of has, there's at least one asshole."
--Me

yes, unfortunatly witha prostate exam you arent allowed to be sedated, you have to be aware, and relaxed.. because certain questions are asked of you. but to have any medical procedure done while you are not aware or hasnt signed a release is abuse. physical or sexual abuse. no if and or buts.

you have to give consent to any procedures. unless it has to be done to save your life. then consent is implied.

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein