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Arizona's Only Accredited Master Surgeon - Greg J. Marchand M.D.Arizona's Only Accredited Master Surgeon - Greg J. Marchand M.D.
Arizona's Only Accredited Master Surgeon – Greg J. Marchand M.D.
Arizona's Only Accredited Master Surgeon – Greg J. Marchand M.D.
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  • Dr. Greg Marchand
  • Fellowship Program
  • Publications
  • Testimonials
  • Media
  • Travel to AZ for Surgery
  • Contact us

Dr. Marchand Awarded Very Rare US Patent for Innovative Surgery

July 25, 2020Laparoscopy, Minimally Invasive SurgeryBy Maria Sainz

Although drug and surgical device patents are extremely common in the United States, actually patenting a surgical procedure is quite rare. This is largely because Federal Law prohibits any enforcement of patent infringement on surgical procedures under 35 U.S.C. § 287(c).

Dr. Gregory Marchand received final approval this month of a very rare type of patent.  Dr. Marchand and The Marchand Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery were awarded a patent for the “Marchand Salpingectomy,” a surgical technique used for removing the fallopian tubes in a woman who desires sterilization. 

The procedure was developed after multiple medical organizations including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) released guidelines speaking in favor of salpingectomy (removing the fallopian tubes,) for women who desire sterilization.  The old surgical practice was simply to ligate the fallopian tubes, also known as having your “tubes tied.”  The major advantage for salpingectomy instead of ligation is that removing the fallopian tubes actually decreases a woman’s change of Ovarian Cancer later in life. 

Although it is very common for patents to be awarded for medical and surgical devices, it is extremely rare for a patent to be awarded for a surgical procedure with no accompanying device.  This is largely because Federal Law prohibits any enforcement of patent infringement on surgical procedures under 35 U.S.C. § 287(c).  Therefore, unlike all other patents, it is not possible to make money by selling the technique or suing others who might wish to perform the surgery. As a result, patenting a surgical procedure basically has the opposite effect of most patents – it helps get the word out about your invented technique, inviting more surgeons to try it.  Dr. Marchand explained that this was exactly his intent with the patent.

“I really think my researchers and staff have created an innovative technique that will benefit most gynecologic surgeons.”  said Dr. Marchand.   “It’s important that all OBGYN’s know the importance of removing the fallopian tubes, not simply tying them, for sterilization.  This technique is the fastest, easiest method to date.”

The procedure was originally presented at the American College of Surgeon’s Annual Meeting in October of 2017. 

A full video of how-to perform the surgery can be found here:  https://youtu.be/goPrQZsyZRY

The full text pdf of the newly approved patent can be found here:  https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/df/f5/f2/80ae65b4e44afb/US10695042.pdf

For more information about Dr. Marchand and the Marchand Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, you can visit www.MarchandInstitute.org.  For interview requests or additional media, please contact Mrs. Kellee Clegg at 480-999-0905 or kellee@marchandinstitute.org .

The Patented Surgical Technique is described in this instructional video.
fallopian tubeslaparoscopyMIGSpatentpatented surgerysurgery
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Articles
  • Dr. Marchand’s New Paper on Cervical Cancer Published Today in Nature’s Scientific Reports Journal
    January 8, 2023
  • Dr. Marchand’s Newest Paper Looks at Novel Uterine Artery Embolization Practices in China
    December 22, 2022
  • Greg Marchand’s Research on Marijuana in Pregnancy featured in New Report from the Heritage Foundation
    December 8, 2022
  • Two of Dr. Marchand’s Research Papers Selected for Oral Presentation at AAGL 2022
    August 13, 2022
  • Latest Publication – Narrative review of Salpingectomy, Tubal Ligation and Hysteroscopic Occlusion is now online and in PubMed.
    August 2, 2022
  • New Article Comparing Veress Needle Usage to Direct Trocar Entry
    July 24, 2022
What patients say
  • 14517468_1646198135690553_6990924301147850409_n“I delivered both my beautiful babies with Dr. Marchand and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Every doctor visit up until I was in labor was great, he took all the time to answer all my questions. I didn’t feel rushed in and rushed out of the office. The office was always very clean! The staff were always very friendly. When I was in labor he made sure my birth plan was the most important thing! He always had my best interest in hand! My first delivery I was induced and it took 3 long days and Marchand kept checking on me all hours of the night!! If I did it all over again I’d definitely use Marchand as my OB again!”

    Alex S.
  • “We congratulate Dr. Greg J. Marchand as SRC’s first Surgeon of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Surgery (SOEMIS) in the United States. To achieve SOEMIS accreditation, Dr. Marchand invited SRC to complete a rigorous onsite inspection and thorough chart review to illustrate his compliance with the program. Dr. Marchand and his practice exemplify SRC’s commitment to patient safety and care.”

    Ashley DuBray, Senior Director of the Surgical Review Corporation
  • “I initially met Dr. Marchand upon an emergency room visit due to complications during my first pregnancy. My husband and I had recently moved from out of state. Not knowing many people here, in a scary situation and finding myself hospitalized was made a lot easier once we met Dr. Marchand who we decided would be the best doctor to see my care through the pregnancy and ultimate c-section. He always had time for our questions even when we knew he had many other patients. He did a great job with the surgery and follow up care and was very pleasant, patient and professional throughout the process. When we decided to have another baby, he saw us through another pregnancy and c-section and continues to be my OB of choice. I would recommend him in a heartbeat to any girlfriends I know.”

    Megan E. of Gilbert, AZ
  • “Growing up I have had my fair share of woman health issue from Endometriosis, PCOS, Severe Pelvic Pain, Loss of Pregnancy and Infertility and more pelvic surgeries than I can count. I have seen many different doctors till about 6-7 years ago when I needed emergency surgery and met Dr. Marchand and now I refuse to go to any one else. With the many issues I have had both Dr. Marchand as well as his whole office staff have been so helpful I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s very hard to find an honest, trustworthy doctor these days but rest assured you can’t go wrong with Dr. Greg Marchand. They are open late and almost always can fit you into the schedule for emergencies and you can always reach him no matter what time it is if you have questions. Dr. Marchand is an amazing surgeon and loves what he does. He has delivered many friends and family’s children and hope that one day he will be able to deliver mine as well.”

    Tomi M. of Gilbert
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