APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OVARIAN CANCER SCREENING

• US 20150057565A1
• Filed: 08/21/2014
• Published: 02/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mkt Enterprises LLC
• Original Assignee: Mkt Enterprises LLC
• Inventors: Mazzoli, Thomas G. Jr., Ellis, Maria Lynne, McDonald, Kimberly Ann, Freed, David
• Application Number:
  US14/464,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20150057565A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/564
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0266 means for severing sample
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0291 for uterus A61B10/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/04 Endoscopic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/4241 Instruments for manoeuvring or retracting the uterus, e.g. during laparoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/4233 Operations on Fallopian tubes, e.g. sterilization A61B2017/1125 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1408 Ovaries
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1425 Uterine tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1433 Uterus

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for sampling the distal tube, fimbria and/or ovary, includes advancing a device into the peritoneal cavity and sampling material on or adjacent to the distal tube, fimbria or ovary.

Claims

1. A method for sampling the distal tube, fimbria and/or ovary via catheter accessing the peritoneal cavity through the cul de sac, comprising:

piercing the cul de sac through the vaginal wall;

advancing a catheter through the cul de sac and inflating a balloon operatively associated with the catheter to lift the uterus;

continuing advance the catheter into the peritoneal cavity to a position proximate to a distal tube, fimbria or ovary;

sampling material on or adjacent to the distal tube, fimbria or ovary; and

deflating the balloon and withdrawing the catheter with the sampled material.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein sampling is performed with a brush that extends from and retracts into said catheter.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said catheter additionally samples on a contralateral side.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said catheter comprises a scope configured to visualize a target.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said catheter includes a steerable distal portion.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said balloon is configured with two wings complementary to the natural shape of the uterus.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein access is facilitated with the use of a vaginal speculum.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein access is facilitated by a tenaculum to expose the access point.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein access is provided by a sheathed needle, followed by a trocar to dilate said sheath.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein sampling material comprises uses one or more of a retractable brush, a stationary brush, a needle, a cutting device, a suction device, or a powered removal device.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said powered removal device comprises a laser cutting device or an electric knife.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said cutting device comprises scissors or a grader.

13. A system for sampling the distal tube, fimbria and/or ovary via catheter accessing the peritoneal cavity through the cul de sac, comprising:

a scope;

a scope add-on, configured with an inflatable balloon, the balloon configured an inflatable contour complementary to the natural shape of the uterus; and

a brush channel on one of the scope or the scope add-on, the brush channel configured to accept a movable brush configured to sample material at a site of interest.

14. A system for sampling the distal tube, fimbria and/or ovary via catheter accessing the peritoneal cavity, comprising:

a scope;

a scope add-on, configured with an inflatable balloon, the balloon configured an inflatable contour complementary to the natural shape of the uterus; and

a sampling device on one of the scope or the scope add-on.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said balloon is configured with two wings that are complementary to the natural shape of the uterus.

16. A medical device for sampling the distal tube, fimbria and/or ovary via catheter accessing the peritoneal cavity through the cul de sac, comprising:

a scope, configured with an inflatable balloon, the balloon configured an inflatable contour complementary to the natural shape of the uterus; and

a brush channel, the brush channel configured to accept a movable brush configured to sample material at a site of interest.

17. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein said balloon is configured with two wings that are complementary to the natural shape of the uterus.

18. A method for sampling the distal tube, fimbria and/or ovary through the cul de sac, comprising:

piercing the cul de sac through the vaginal wall;

advancing a catheter through the cul de sac; and

sampling material on or adjacent to the distal tube, fimbria or ovary.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein sampling is performed with a brush that extends from and retracts into said catheter.

20. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein said catheter additionally samples on a contralateral side.

21. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein said catheter comprises a scope configured to visualize a target.

22. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein said catheter includes a steerable distal portion.

23. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein said catheter includes a balloon that is configured with two wings complementary to the natural shape of the uterus.

24. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein access to the cul de sac is facilitated with the use of a vaginal speculum.

25. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein access to the cul de sac is facilitated by a tenaculum to expose the access point.

26. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein access to the cul de sac is provided by a sheathed needle, followed by a trocar to dilate said sheath.

27. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein sampling material comprises uses one or more of a retractable brush, a stationary brush, a needle, a cutting device, a suction device, or a powered removal device.

28. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein said powered removal device comprises a laser cutting device or an electric knife.

29. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein said cutting device comprises scissors or a grader.

30. A method for sampling the distal tube, fimbria and/or ovary, comprising:

advancing a device into the peritoneal cavity; and

sampling material on or adjacent to the distal tube, fimbria or ovary.

31. A method in accordance with claim 30, wherein said device is a scope and/or catheter.

32. A method in accordance with claim 30, wherein the device is configured to deposit materials on or near the distal tube, fimbria or ovary.

33. A method in accordance with claim 30, wherein a balloon is provided configured with an inflatable contour complementary to the natural shape of the uterus, and wherein such contour is circular or cylindrical so as to allow a sampling brush to extend through the center or portion of said balloon.

34. A method for delivering medicine to the distal tube, fimbria and/or ovary, comprising:

advancing a device into the peritoneal cavity; and

depositing material on or adjacent to the distal tube, fimbria or ovary.

35. A method for delivering medicine to the distal tube, fimbria and/or ovary through the cul de sac, comprising:

piercing the cul de sac through the vaginal wall;

advancing a catheter through the cul de sac; and

depositing medicine on or adjacent to the distal tube, fimbria or ovary.