Method and apparatus for the detection and occlusion of blood vessels
First Claim
1. A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device, comprising:
- a. a pair of pressure-applying members having opposed tissue-contacting surfaces on distal portions thereof;
b. a pair of pivotally-connected supporting shafts extending from said pair of pressure-applying members configured to adjust the distance between the opposed tissue-contacting surfaces of the pressure-applying members; and
c. at least one sensor for locating a blood vessel disposed in or on a pressure-applying member to facilitate location of the blood vessel to be occluded.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides devices, systems and methods for reducing or abolishing blood flow by occluding arteries. A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device embodying features of the invention includes a pair of pressure-applying members with opposed tissue-contacting surfaces, a supporting shaft configured to adjust the distance between tissue-contacting surfaces, and at least one sensor for locating a blood vessel disposed on at least one pressure-applying member. Blood vessels may be occluded by indirectly compressing the artery by compressing tissue near to an artery. The invention finds use in, for example, treating uterine disorders and conditions which may be treated by occlusion of the uterine arteries. A uterine artery may be accessed via a body cavity, such as a patient'"'"'s vagina, and may be occluded by compressing a portion of the vaginal wall around a portion of a uterine artery.
317 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device, comprising:
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a. a pair of pressure-applying members having opposed tissue-contacting surfaces on distal portions thereof;
b. a pair of pivotally-connected supporting shafts extending from said pair of pressure-applying members configured to adjust the distance between the opposed tissue-contacting surfaces of the pressure-applying members; and
c. at least one sensor for locating a blood vessel disposed in or on a pressure-applying member to facilitate location of the blood vessel to be occluded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system comprising:
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a non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device comprising a pair of pressure-applying members having opposed tissue-contacting surfaces on distal portions thereof;
a pair of pivotally-connected supporting shafts extending from said pair of pressure-applying members configured to adjust the distance between the opposed tissue-contacting surfaces of the pressure-applying members; and
at least one sensor for locating a blood vessel disposed in or on a pressure-applying member; and
a sensor controller operatively connected to said sensor and comprising a source of power. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of occluding a blood vessel of a patient, comprising:
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non-invasively locating a blood vessel with a sensor; and
non-invasively compressing a portion of said blood vessel by applying pressure to tissue adjacent a blood vessel with a non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device comprising said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device, comprising:
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a. a pair of pressure-applying members having opposed tissue-contacting surfaces on distal portions thereof;
b. a pair of pivotally-connected supporting shafts extending from said pair of pressure-applying members configured to adjust the distance between the opposed tissue-contacting surfaces of the pressure-applying members; and
c. an ultrasound sensor/transducer for locating a blood vessel disposed in or on a pressure-applying member configured to provide ultrasound signals and to receive ultrasound reflections so as to facilitate location of the blood vessel to be occluded.
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45. A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device, comprising:
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a. pressure-applying means for applying pressure to tissue;
b. sensor means for locating a blood vessel to facilitate location of the blood vessel to be occluded; and
c. supporting means for supporting said pressure-applying means and said sensor means.
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46. A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device, comprising:
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a. pressure-applying means for applying pressure to tissue;
b. sensor/transducer means for providing signals and for sensing reflected signals for locating a blood vessel to facilitate location of the blood vessel to be occluded; and
c. supporting means for supporting said pressure-applying means and said sensor/transducer means.
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Specification