METHOD AND DEVICE FOR UTERINE FIBROID TREATMENT

• US 20110087100A1
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Gynesonics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gynesonics, Inc.
• Inventors: Grossman, Jessica
• Granted Patent: US 9,808,310 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/439
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 multiple needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/085 for locating body or organic structures, e.g. tumours, calculi, blood vessels, nodules
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00

Abstract

Methods and devices for both imaging and treating uterine fibroid tumors in one real-time system are provided. One minimally invasive method comprises introducing a sheath into a uterus and determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath. Upon identification, a portion of the sheath is steered to position at least one treatment needle at the determined location. The needle is then anchored in uterine tissue and the fibroid treated with the needle.

Claims

1. A method for minimally invasive treatment of uterine fibroids, said method comprising:

introducing a sheath into a uterus;

determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath;

advancing a hollow needle from the sheath through a wall of the uterus;

advancing a plurality of diverging needles from the hollow needle into the fibroid; and

treating the fibroid with the diverging needles.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the sheath is introduced transcervically.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the visualization element is ultrasonic and produces a visual image.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein introducing comprises manually positioning and penetrating the treatment needle through an endometrium so as to engage the fibroid.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein determining comprises steering, rotating, or deflecting the visualization element independent of the treatment needle.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein treating the fibroid comprises delivering ablative energy to the fibroid with the needle.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein the ablative energy comprises radiofrequency energy, microwave energy, laser energy, cryo energy, ultrasound energy, HIFU, or radiation.

8. A method as in claim 7, wherein the ablative energy comprises radiofrequency energy delivered in a bipolar or monopolar fashion.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein treating the fibroid comprises delivering at least one therapeutic agent to the fibroid with the needle.

10. A method as in claim 1, further comprising imaging needle anchoring and treatment in real-time with the visualization element.

11. A method as in claim 1, further comprising monitoring tissue impedance.

12. A method as in claim 1, further comprising measuring a tissue temperature so as to aid in diagnosis, blood supply measurement, thermal signature, or tissue targeting.

13. A method for minimally invasive treatment of uterine fibroids, said method comprising:

introducing a sheath into a uterus;

determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath;

advancing a hollow needle from the sheath through a wall of the uterus into the fibroid; and

morcelating the fibroid with the needle.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the sheath is introduced transcervically.

15. A method as in claim 13, wherein the visualization element is ultrasonic and produces a visual image.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein introducing comprises manually positioning and penetrating the treatment needle through an endometrium so as to engage the fibroid.

17. A method as in claim 13, wherein determining comprises steering, rotating, or deflecting the visualization element independent of the treatment needle.

18. A method as in claim 13, wherein treating the fibroid further comprises delivering at least one therapeutic agent to the fibroid with the needle.

19. A method as in claim 13, further comprising imaging needle anchoring and treatment in real-time with the visualization element.

20. A method as in claim 13, further comprising measuring a tissue temperature so as to aid in diagnosis, blood supply measurement, thermal signature, or tissue targeting.