Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Northern California, Conceptus (CPTS) is engaged in the design, development and marketing of innovative medical products for use in the field of women's health.
Conceptus is currently focused on marketing its Essure permanent birth control system worldwide. With the Essure system, Conceptus believes it has the technology to transform the field of permanent birth control, and is in the process of marketing the Essure procedure globally.
The Essure system is approved for sale in many countries, including the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America. Conceptus is working to make the Essure system available world-wide upon receipt of appropriate regulatory and/or governmental clearances.
In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval to market the Essure device in the United States, a market where 700,000 tubal ligations and 400,000 vasectomies are performed annually.
The Essure procedure is a non-incisional alternative to surgical tubal ligation, the leading form of birth control worldwide. While tubal ligation involves abdominal incisions, general anesthesia, four to five days of recovery time, and the risks associated with an incisional procedure, the Essure procedure does not require cutting or penetrating the abdomen. The procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting without general anesthesia, and women who have the procedure usually resume regular activities within 24-48 hours after the day of the procedure.