Device for endometrial ablation having an expandable seal for a cervical canal

• US 10,052,150 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2016
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Minerva Surgical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Minerva Surgical, Inc.
• Inventors: Truckai, Daniel, Truckai, Csaba
• Primary Examiner(s): Stransky, Katrina
• Application Number:
  US15/220,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20160331444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 606191-199, 606 33, 606 34, 606 41, 606 27
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00166 Multiple lumina
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00232 having an irregular shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00863 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/147 Electrodes transferring energy by capacitive coupling, i.e. with a dielectricum between electrode and target tissue

Abstract

Methods, systems and devices for endometrial ablation. In accordance with a method, a working end of an RF ablation device is positioned in a patient uterus to contact endometrial tissue, the working end comprising a dielectric wall capable of non-expanded and expanded shapes and for conforming to an asymmetric or symmetric shape of the patient'"'"'s cervix. An expandable seal is provided for sealing the cervical canal.

Claims

1. A method for treating uterine tissue, said method comprising:

introducing a member having first and second concentric sleeves through a cervical canal and into a uterine cavity of a patient while a deformable thin-wall seal carried by the sleeves is stretched tight against the introducer member by distally extending the second concentric sleeve relative to the first concentric sleeve;

axially translating the first concentric sleeve relative to the second concentric sleeve to cause the deformable thin-wall seal to transition to a transversely expanded shape having a first transverse dimension to engage the cervical canal; and

inflating the expanded seal to a second transverse dimension greater than the first transverse dimension which resulted from movement of the sleeves while the expanded seal engages the cervical canal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises an elastomeric material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a thin wall silicone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the seal is formed with helical ridge and valley regions for folding and unfolding upon said axial deformation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein proximal and distal ends of the seal are fixedly attached to the first and second concentric sleeves, respectively.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein inflating comprises introducing a continuous flow of gas or liquid through a first lumen in the member into an interior chamber of the deformable thin-wall seal and providing a restricted outflow of fluid from the interior chamber through a second lumen in the member for cooling the seal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein further comprising restricting flow through the second lumen with a restrictor valve.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the member has a central lumen and the method further comprises introducing a tool through the central lumen and performing an intervention in the uterus with the tool.