Karman died May, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. His work in the field of reproductive health included development of a flexible tube in the 1970s that allowed abortions to be conducted in safer ways, the newspaper said.

Dr. Malcolm Potts University of California-Berkeley School of Public Health said Karman's invention helped revolutionize the field of abortion.

"Harvey Karman did more for safe abortion around the world than practically any other person in the world," Potts said.

Karman performed several abortions when the procedure was still illegal in California and spent 2 ½ years in state prison after being convicted on related charges.

Karman is survived by his sons, Kenneth and Steven; two daughters, Kathleen and Janice; and six grandchildren.