MODIFIED ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION

• US 20190314076A1
• Filed: 04/10/2019
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arthur M. Mccausland
• Original Assignee: Arthur M. Mccausland
• Inventors: McCausland, Arthur M.
• Application Number:
  US16/380,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20190314076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/044 the surgical action being effected by a circulating hot fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1823 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter

Abstract

An endometrial ablation tool is configured for modified endometrial ablation, rather than global endometrial ablation. The tool can work according to various different methodologies including ablation by thermal energy (hot or cold), ablation by RF energy, ablation by microwave energy, ablation by plasma gas heating or ablation by other endometrial contact methodologies for ablation thereof. The ablation tool is shaped so that it avoids ablation in cornual areas. In one embodiment, the tool is configured with a unique posterior and anterior portion, with only one such portion configured to perform ablation, so that ablation occurs only with the anterior endometrium or only the posterior endometrium.

Claims

1. :

A method for performing modified endometrial ablation, including the steps of;

placing a modified endometrial ablation tool into a uterus, the modified endometrial ablation tool having a configuration which keeps ablating portions thereof spaced away from cornual areas of the uterus;

activating the modified endometrial ablation tool to ablate at least portions of walls of the endometrium spaced away from the cornual areas; and

removing the modified endometrial ablation tool from the uterus.

2. :

The method of claim 1 wherein said placing step includes a shape of the modified endometrial ablation tool causing cornual areas to be avoided.

3. :

The method of claim 1 wherein said placing step includes a size of the modified endometrial ablation tool causing cornual areas to be avoided.

4. :

The method of claim 1 wherein said activating step includes the tool delivering radio frequency radiation therefrom.

5. :

The method of claim 1 wherein said activating step includes the tool delivering freezing temperature structures for ablation of endometrial tissues by freezing.

6. :

The method of claim 1 wherein said activating step includes the tool delivering microwave energy radiation therefrom.

7. :

The method of claim 1 wherein said activating step includes the tool delivering hot temperature fluid for ablation of endometrial tissues by burning.

8. :

A modified endometrial ablation tool, comprising in combination;

at least one ablation surface taken from the group of surfaces including an anterior surface and a posterior surface;

an ablation energy supply coupled to said ablation surface; and

said ablation surface having a configuration which avoids cornual areas when placed within a uterus.

9. :

The tool of claim 8 wherein said ablation surface is shaped to avoid cornual areas.

10. :

The tool of claim 8 wherein said ablation surface is sized to avoid cornual areas.

11. :

The tool of claim 8 wherein said ablation energy supply includes a source of radio frequency radiation energy.

12. :

The tool of claim 8 wherein said ablation energy supply includes a below 0°

C. temperature heat sink, sufficiently cold to ablate endometrial tissues by freezing.

13. :

The tool of claim 8 wherein said ablation energy supply includes a source of microwave radiation energy.

14. :

The tool of claim 8 wherein said ablation energy supply includes a source of hot fluid sufficiently hot to ablate endometrial tissues by burning.

15. :

The tool of claim 8 wherein only one of said anterior surface and said posterior surface is configured as an ablation surface.

16. :

A method for performing a modified endometrial ablation procedure, the method including the steps of;

placing a modified endometrial ablation tool into a uterus, the modified endometrial ablation tool having a configuration which keeps ablating portions thereof spaced away from cornual areas of the uterus;

activating the modified endometrial ablation tool to ablate at least portions of walls of the endometrium spaced away from the cornual areas;

removing the modified endometrial ablation tool from the uterus;

wherein the tool includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface, only one of the surfaces being at least part of the ablating portions of the tool; and

wherein said activating step ablates the endometrium on only a posterior portion or an anterior portion of the uterus.

17. :

The method of claim 16 where said placing step includes the tool delivering radio frequency radiation therefrom.

18. :

The method of claim 16 wherein said activating step includes the tool delivering freezing temperature structures for ablation of endometrial tissues by freezing.

19. :

The method of claim 16 wherein said activating step includes the tool delivering microwave energy radiation therefrom.

20. :

The method of claim 16 wherein said activating step includes the tool delivering hot temperature fluid for ablation of endometrial tissues by burning.