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SAN CARLOS — The federal Food and Drug Administration has approved a new non-surgical method of female sterilization developed by a San Carlos company.  

The Essure device, manufactured by San Carlos-based Conceptus, Inc., can be implanted in a woman's fallopian tubes under a local anesthetic and without the need for any incisions. 

“Unlike other currently available surgical sterilization procedures for women, placement of the device does not require an incision or general anesthesia,” according to an FDA statement. 

The device is a small spring-like metallic implant that causes scar tissue to form in the fallopian tubes, blocking sperm from fertilizing an egg. 

None of the more than 600 women that have been successfully implanted with Essure devices in both fallopian tubes have become pregnant, according to the FDA. 

An estimated 700,000 women a year undergo sterilization by tubal ligation, a surgical procedure requiring general anesthesia and a hospital stay. Conceptus President Steve Bacich believes that Essure will provide an attractive alternative for women seeking permanent birth control. 

“After researchers have worked for more than three decades to develop an alternative to surgical tubal ligation, Conceptus is extremely proud to have developed Essure and be one step closer to bringing this breakthrough option to women seeking permanent birth control,” Bacich said in July when a FDA committee approved the product. 

The FDA formally approved the device Monday. The company hopes to begin offering the device nationwide by next spring.