METHODS AND DEVICES FOR FALLOPIAN TUBE DIAGNOSTICS

• US 20150351729A1
• Filed: 02/03/2014
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: nVision Medical Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Chin, Albert, Sarna, Surbhi, Snow, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 10,646,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0291 for uterus A61B10/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/04 Endoscopic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12045 double occlusion, e.g. during anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0216 Sampling brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3435 using everted sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/4233 Operations on Fallopian tubes, e.g. sterilization A61B2017/1125 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3904 specially adapted for marking specified tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1065 having a balloon which is inversely attached to the shaft at the distal or proximal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/109 : having balloons for removing solid matters, e.g. by grasping or scraping plaque, thrombus or other matters that obstruct the flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1425 : Uterine tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 : Catheter tip comprising a tool
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 : in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 : characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10181 : Means for forcing inflation fluid into the balloon

Abstract

Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive procedures useful for Fallopian tube diagnostics are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the proximal os of the Fallopian tube is accessed via an intrauterine approach; an introducer catheter is advanced to cannulate and form a fluid tight seal with the proximal os of the Fallopian tube; a second catheter inside the introducer catheter is provided to track the length of the Fallopian tube and out into the abdominal cavity; a balloon at the end of the second catheter is inflated and the second catheter is retracted until the balloon seals the distal os of the Fallopian tube; irrigation is performed substantially over the length of the Fallopian tube; and the irrigation fluid is recovered for cytology or cell analysis.

Claims

1. A process of collecting cells from a lumen in a subject comprising:

deploying a distal end of a catheter at the proximal end of the lumen;

everting a balloon on the distal end of the catheter to urge an extending portion into the lumen with sufficient force to dislodge the cells from an inner wall of the Fallopian tube; and

withdrawing said extending portion from the subject to collect the cells.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the catheter is deployed through an insertion catheter.

3. The process of claim 1 further comprising shielding said extending portion prior to said withdrawing.

4. The process of claim 1 further comprising placing a fiducial marker in the Fallopian tube during said everting.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein said extending portion is passed through an orifice in an inner lumen of said balloon to dislodge the cells.

6. The process of claim 1 further comprising retaining said extending portion in combination with a therapeutic agent after said withdrawing.

21. The process of claim 1 wherein the lumen is a Fallopian tube.

7. A catheter comprising:

a tube having a distal end;

a balloon secured to the distal end; and

an extending portion moveable between a retracted position and an extended position with inflation of said balloon.

8. The catheter of claim 7 further comprising a pressurized fluid source in selective communication with said balloon.

9. The catheter of claim 7 further comprising a hysteroscope.

10. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said extending portion is a smooth surfaced filament.

11. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said extending portion is a bristle surfaced filament.

12. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said extending portion defines a brush.

13. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said extending portion is a sponge.

14. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said extending portion is an inflatable balloon.

15. The catheter of claim 14 wherein said inflatable balloon is an inner lumen having an orifice and said extending portion passes through said tube and said orifice.

16. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said extending portion is a spiral filament.

17. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said extending portion is a balled filament.

18. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said extending portion is a biodegradable.

19. The catheter of claim 7 further comprising a fiducial marker.

20. The catheter of claim 7 further comprising a therapeutic agent.