Device for thermal ablation of a cavity
First Claim
1. A device for causing necrosis of tissue comprising:
- a liquid-tight system having a distal flexible member;
a proximal flexible member; and
a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between said distal and proximal members, the system containing a liquid;
a pneumatic chamber into which the flexible proximal member may be inserted;
a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber and thereby heat the liquid in the flexible proximal member; and
a means to apply variable pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic chamber to initiate liquid flow between the distal member and the proximal member.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for causing necrosis of tissue and specifically intended for thermal ablation of the uterine cavity to cauterizing the endometrial tissue. The apparatus includes a liquid-tight, liquid filled system having a distal flexible member; a proximal flexible member; and a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between these distal and proximal members. The apparatus further includes a pressurizable pneumatic chamber into which the proximal flexible member is inserted and a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber. The system operates to: first withdraw substantially all of the liquid into the proximal flexible member contained within the pressurizable pneumatic chamber; second to heat this liquid to a temperature such that it can cause tissue necrosis; and third to force the heated liquid from the proximal flexible member into the distal flexible member where it is maintained for a predetermined time and at a predetermined pressure. Where this distal member has been inserted into a uterine cavity or is otherwise is in contact with living tissue, the presence of the heated liquid results in tissue necrosis and cauterization.
71 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A device for causing necrosis of tissue comprising:
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a liquid-tight system having a distal flexible member;
a proximal flexible member; and
a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between said distal and proximal members, the system containing a liquid;
a pneumatic chamber into which the flexible proximal member may be inserted;
a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber and thereby heat the liquid in the flexible proximal member; and
a means to apply variable pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic chamber to initiate liquid flow between the distal member and the proximal member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for facilitating necrosis of tissue comprising:
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a distal flexible bladder;
a proximal flexible bladder;
a catheter joining said distal and proximal flexible bladders in a liquid tight system, a liquid inside the system to flow between the two bladders;
wherein the liquid is in amount that permits the distal member to substantially deflate when the liquid is moved out of the distal end; and
a connector for connecting the device to a pressurizing source. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. A method for causing necrosis of a the tissue in a body cavity comprising the steps of:
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inserting a first bladder into a body cavity where said first bladder is in liquid communication with a second liquid filled bladder and preheating the liquid contained in said second bladder to a known temperature;
forcing the heated liquid contained within said second bladder into said first bladder contained in the body cavity;
maintaining the heated liquid in said first bladder for a predetermined time to dissipate heat energy to the tissues of the surrounding body cavity; and
after said predetermined time, drawing the liquid contained in said first bladder back into said second bladder, thereby allowing removal of said first bladder from the body cavity.
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Specification