INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

• US 20150150497A1
• Filed: 07/18/2013
• Published: 06/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mor Research Applications Ltd. (Clalit Health Services)
• Original Assignee: Mor Research Applications Ltd. (Clalit Health Services)
• Inventors: Goldchmit, Chen
• Application Number:
  US14/415,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20150150497A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0005 combining images e.g. side-by-side, superimposed or tiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0125 Endoscope within endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/063 for monochromatic or narrow-band illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0034 adapted to be inserted through a working channel of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/4216 Operations on uterus, e.g. endometrium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4325 of the uterine cavities, e.g. uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0858 involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
• 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 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4494 characterised by the arrangement of the transducer elements devices for short-range imaging using particular transducer elements arrangements under G01S15/8909; arrangements of transducers in generation of mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency B06B1/0607
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5207 involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data, e.g. for generating an image reconstruction G06T11/00

Abstract

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a probe sized for insertion into a uterus, the device comprising at least one ultrasound element adapted to emit ultrasonic energy, the ultrasound element disposed on a distal end of the device; at least one ultrasound receiver adapted to receive ultrasound energy, the ultrasound receiver disposed on a distal end of the device; and circuitry adapted to automatically estimate a thickness of a uterine wall according to the received ultrasound energy.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of treating an inner wall of a uterus comprising automatically measuring a thickness of a uterine wall according to ultrasound energy emitted from inside the uterus; and providing an output of the thickness.

Claims

1. A probe sized for insertion into a uterus, said probe comprising:

at least one ultrasound element adapted to emit ultrasonic energy, said ultrasound element disposed on a distal end of said probe;

at least one ultrasound receiver adapted to receive ultrasound energy, said ultrasound receiver disposed on a distal end of said probe; and

circuitry adapted to automatically estimate a thickness of a uterine wall according to said received ultrasound energy,

wherein said at least one ultrasound element is arranged to be forward facing so that said ultrasound energy is directed to intersect a surgical site on said uterine wall.

2. The probe of claim 1, wherein said circuitry is non-imaging.

3. The probe of claim 1, wherein said circuitry is further configured to only measure said thickness.

4. The probe of claim 1, wherein said probe is sized for insertion into a lumen of a hysteroscope.

5. The probe of claim 1, wherein said uterine wall thickness comprises a thickness of a uterine septum and a myometrium.

7. The probe of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound element is arranged so that said ultrasound energy is directed within a visual field on said uterine wall.

8. The probe of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound element is arranged to image an area no larger than about 100 mm².

9. The probe of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound element is arranged to produce an ultrasound beam of frequency from about 3-12 Mhz.

10. The probe of claim 1, wherein said probe is coupled to at least one of a visual element and a cutting element so that said probe moves together with said visual element and said cutting element to maintain an intersection of an ultrasound sensing area and at least one of a visual field and a surgical field, during movement of said probe.

11. The probe of claim 1, further comprising an output element in electrical communication with said circuitry, said output element adapted to provide at least one of visual and auditory output of said thickness.

12. The probe of claim 1, further comprising a colored light source positioned coaxially with said at least one ultrasound receiver so that a colored light field at least partially overlaps with a region of said wall being measured.

13. The probe of claim 1, wherein said probe is sized for insertion through an undilated cervix.

14. A device for insertion into a uterus, said device comprising:

a probe as in claim 1;

at least one visual element adapted to provide visual images of a portion of a uterine wall, said visual element positioned so that a visual field encompass an ultrasound imaging field of said uterine wall; and

at least one lumen sized for insertion of a surgical tool.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said at least one lumen is positioned so that said surgical tool treats said uterine wall within said visual field and within said ultrasound imaging field.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein said device is sized for insertion into said uterus through a cervix.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein said device is flexible for improved maneuverability within said uterus.

44. A probe according to claim 1, wherein a single ultrasonic element serves as both said an ultrasonic element to emit and as an ultrasonic receiver.

45. A probe according to claim 1, wherein said circuitry is configured to estimate said thickness when said ultrasonic element is not in contact with said location.

6. (canceled)

18-37. -37. (canceled)

38. A system comprising:

a probe sized for insertion into a uterus, said probe comprising;

at least one ultrasound element adapted to emit ultrasonic energy in a forward facing beam which diverges less than about 15 degrees, said ultrasound element disposed on a distal end of said device;

at least one ultrasound receiver adapted to receive ultrasound energy, said ultrasound receiver disposed on a distal end of said device; and

an optical element configured to image a visual field, wherein said ultrasonic beam intersects or is in close proximity with said visual field; and

circuitry adapted to generate an image from said received ultrasound energy.

39. A system according to claim 38, comprising a display which shows said visual field and an area monitored by said beam.

40. A system according to claim 38, comprising a display which shows said generated image.

41. A system according to claim 38, wherein the probe comprises a plurality of lumens, which align an area imaged by said ultrasonic beam with a cutting tool.

42. A system according to claim 38, wherein the probe comprises a plurality of ultrasonic elements.

43. (canceled)