Cyrogenic bladder for necrosing tissue cells

• US 3,924,628 A
• Filed: 12/01/1972
• Issued: 12/09/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul E. Bingham, Ralph N. Eberhardt Jr, William Droegemueller
• Original Assignee: Paul E. Bingham, Ralph N. Eberhardt Jr, William Droegemueller
• Inventors: Droegemueller, William, Eberhardt, Ralph N. Jr., Bingham, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pace, Channing L.
• Application Number:
  US05/311,069
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303.1,401
• US Class Current: 606/21
• 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 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 2017/4216 Operations on uterus, e.g. endometrium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/123 using a flexible balloon containing the thermal element

Abstract

A method of, and apparatus for necrosing human tissue cells are described in which an expandable bladder filled with a fluid at a cyrogenic temperature is used to subject the entire area of tissue in contact with the bladder to temperatures sufficiently low to cause coagulation necrosis, whereby the entire contacted area of tissue is simultaneously necrosed. As an example, this apparatus can be utilized to cause sterilization by necrosis of the entire functional endometrial layer of the uterus of a human female.

Claims

1. A method of effecting coagulation necrosis of the functional uterine endometrium comprising the steps of:

a. inserting a flexible bladder in the uterus;

b. inflating said bladder with a fluid at cryogenic temperature so that said bladder is in substantially continuous contact with the inner surface of the functional uterine lining, said fluid undergoing a phase change to extract heat from said functional uterine endometrium; and

c. maintaining said bladder so inflated with said fluid at said cryogenic temperature for a period of time sufficient for said heat extraction to effect simultaneous coagulation necrosis of substantially all of the functional uterine endometrium.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the exterior of said bladder in contact with said lining is maintained at least -73*C for at least 2 minutes.