This New Male Contraceptive Could Change Birth Control Forever

The days of awkward vasectomy conversations will soon be over, if all goes according to plan for German inventor Clemens Bimek. ​

Bimek claims his "sperm switch" implant will prevent sperm from mixing with semen prior to ejaculation, Mashable reports. 

The "spermatic duct valve," named the Bimek SLV, would serve as a temporary, less-invasive alternative to the vasectomy, which completely closes off the tubes that carry sperm. Although vasectomies can be reversed, only 30 percent of reversal procedures actually result in pregnancy, according to WebMD. Bimek's device would allow men to control their ability to father a child with the "flip of a switch."

According to the company, the Bimek SLV is attached to each spermatic duct during outpatient surgery with local anesthetic​. Once implanted, it "disrupts the flow of sperm cells when closed" and can be worn for life. 

So far, according to the New York Daily News, Bimek is the only man to have the gummy-bear-sized implant. His company plans to start clinical trials this year, with the goal of having the device on the market by 2018.