USE OF WATER-SOLUBLE POLYMERS AS SILVER ION CARRIERS FOR FALLOPIAN TUBE CLOSURE.

This paper presents results of a study which was carried out in order to examine the employment of various non-toxic polymers which can form a matrix for the release of silver ions at rates which are desirable. These studies made use of the alginates and Pluronics, using silver nitrate as the active agent. A model in vitro system was developed and the rate of silver release was investigated. The Pluronics (BASF Wyandotte) are alpha hydro-omegahydroxy-poly(oxyethylene)poly(oxypropylene)poly(oxyethyle ne) block copolymers. Results of the investigation are presented and evaluated in terms of the possibility of the permanent female sterilization by the injection of silver nitrate solution retrograade into the tube.