INTRAVAGINAL THERAPY DEVICE

• US 20110190689A1
• Filed: 09/27/2010
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Illuminare Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Illuminare Holdings Limited
• Inventors: Bennett, James D., Ziarno, Andrew W.
• Application Number:
  US12/890,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20110190689A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/425 for reproduction or fertilisation specially adapted for use with animals A61D19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/035 Intra-uterine probes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/344 Foetal cardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4318 Evaluation of the lower reproductive system A61B5/4343 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4343 Pregnancy and labour monitoring, e.g. for labour onset detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68 Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6846 specially adapted to be brought in contact with an internal body part, i.e. invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/023 : for introduction into the body, e.g. into the oesophagus oesophageal ECG probes A61B5/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 : in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 : related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 : Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 : Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0611 : Vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 : for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 : ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 : for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

An intravaginal treatment device (ITD) provides therapeutic light and fluid treatments. Vision systems throughout supporting networks and devices allow for directed control of the treatment processes. The ITD uses illumination to gather various types of imager data that is used to identify and conditions, monitor the treatment process, and evaluate treatment efficacy. Specific frequency light emissions and associated fluids are used to reduce overabundant flora, at least assist in elimination of fungal, viral and bacterial invaders, and enhance the detection process. Several configurations and sizes of ITDs with light and fluid therapy, also have a built in optics assembly (camera, light sources, etc.) for capturing intravaginal still images and video of vaginal channels, cervix, cervical channels, uterus and fallopian tubes. Some ITD configurations are also wearable and include full fluid delivery infrastructure unlike some other ITDs with external components. Supporting devices include local and remotely located computing devices such as laptops, smart phones, and independent monitors. ITDs can be fully or partially inserted via the vaginal channel, and operate in a stand-alone mode or pursuant to remote control. Therapy procedures may be preset or programmed to deliver continuous, periodic and scheduled performance with various underlying parameters defined in the preset or programming processes.

Claims

1. A therapeutic device that delivers therapy to areas within a female reproductive system via a vaginal channel, the therapeutic device comprising:

a housing that is sized to reach at least a partially inserted position within the vaginal channel;

a first light source disposed on the housing that delivers light within the female reproductive system when the housing is in the at least the partially inserted position within the vaginal channel; and

the light delivered by the light sources being selected to provide a therapeutic result.

2. The therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising a therapy nozzle disposed on the housing and through which the therapy can be delivered within the female reproductive system.

3. The therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising a light sensor.

4. The therapeutic device of claim 3, wherein the light sensor comprises an imager, and the therapeutic device further comprising a second light source disposed on the housing which delivers illumination to support the imager.

5. The therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising a second light source disposed on the housing that produces a light of a different frequency from that of the first light source.

6. The therapeutic device of claim 2, wherein the therapy and the light delivered by the first light source are both used in the attempt to provide a therapeutic result, and the therapeutic result relating to a single gynecological condition.

7. A device that delivers a fluid to areas within a female reproductive system via a vaginal channel, the device comprising:

a housing that is sized to reach at least a partially inserted position within the vaginal channel;

a nozzle, disposed on the housing, and through which a fluid is delivered into the female reproductive system when the housing is in the at least the partially inserted position within the vaginal channel; and

an light source disposed on the housing that produced light within the female reproductive system when the housing is in the at least the partially inserted position within the vaginal channel.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a reservoir disposed within the housing, and, wherein, the reservoir and the nozzle are connected via a fluid flow pathway.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the light source provides light therapy.

10. The device of claim 7, further comprising an imager, and wherein the light source provides illumination for the imager.

11. The device of claim 8, further comprising a pump, and wherein the fluid flow pathway becomes active in response to control signaling delivered to the pump.

12. The device of claim 7, further comprising a fluid container disposed outside of the housing, and, wherein the fluid container and the nozzle are connected via a fluid flow pathway.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the fluid flow pathway becomes active in response to a manual force exerted on the fluid container.

14. A method used by a device to deliver therapy, the device being sized for at least partial insertion into a female reproductive system via a vaginal channel, the method comprising:

delivering illumination lighting to a target area within the female reproductive system;

capturing imager data based on at least some reflections of the illumination lighting delivered; and

delivering therapy into at least a portion of the target area.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the therapy comprising fluid therapy.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the therapy comprising light therapy.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the therapy comprising both fluid and light therapy.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the capture of the imager data supports guidance of the device into the at least the partially inserted position.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the capture of the imager data supports efficacy evaluations related to the therapy delivered.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least the partially inserted position comprising a fully inserted position.