Methods for occlusion of the uterine arteries

• US 6,254,601 B1
• Filed: 12/08/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vascular Control Systems, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Vascular Control Systems, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Jones, Michael, Lubock, Paul, Burbank, Fred
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ruddy, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/207,572
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 600/376, 600/135, 600/461, 606/135, 606/41-50, 606/194, 606/200, 128/830, 128/831, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12013 for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• 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 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0833 involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for treating a uterine disorder which receive its blood supply from a uterine artery. In particular, uterine fibroids are effectively treated by occluding the uterine arteries using trans-vaginal, trans-uterine, transrectal, or retroperitoneal approaches. The devices and methods are advantageous because the inventive procedures may be performed by a patient'"'"'s gynecologist in the course of treatment, avoiding the need for referrals to specialist practitioners and for more radical treatments, such as hysterectomies. The methods include both temporary and permanent occlusion of the arteries. A cannula carries an imaging device and a member which will easily penetrate tissue, the member including a device which partially or completely, and temporarily or permanently, occludes a uterine artery.

Claims

1. A method of treating a disorder of a parent organ, the disorder receiving blood from at least one uterine artery, by at least partially cutting off the blood supply to said disorder, comprising the steps of:

penetrating tissue to reach a point adjacent said uterine artery; and

occluding said uterine artery at a location selected to at least partially cut off the blood supply to said parent organ.

2. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said penetrating step comprises penetrating tissue with a system comprising:

means for sensing a location of a uterine artery; and

means for at least partially penetrating an anatomical structure in the region of the uterine artery to cause at least partial occlusion of the uterine artery to thereby decrease the blood flow to the uterus and said disorder.

3. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said penetrating step comprises penetrating tissue with a system comprising:

a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end;

an ultrasonic transducer positioned adjacent said distal end, said ultrasonic transducer capable of sensing the location of anatomical structures in a sensing plane when energized; and

a tissue penetrating member having a distal end and being movable relative to said cannula between a retracted position and a extended position, said tissue penetrating member distal end being substantially in said sensing plane when said tissue penetrating member is in said extended position.

4. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said penetrating step comprises penetrating tissue with a system comprising:

a locating cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, said locating cannula including a locating device positioned adjacent said distal end, said locating device capable of sensing the location of anatomical structures in at least a sensing plane when energized; and

a tissue penetrating cannula having a distal end and including a tissue penetrating member, said tissue penetrating cannula being movable independent from and relative to said locating cannula between a retracted position and a extended position, said tissue penetrating member distal end being substantially in said sensing plane when said tissue penetrating member is in said extended position.

5. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said disorder is a uterine fibroid.

6. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

locating said uterine artery with a locating device selected from the group consisting of a CT scanner, a fluoroscope, X ray, a MRI device, Doppler audio device, a gray scale color 2D Doppler ultrasound device, a landmark system, and combinations thereof.

7. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of penetrating tissue comprises penetrating tissue along a path selected from the group consisting of through a uterine wall, through a vaginal wall, along a rectal wall, and through the peritoneal cavity.

8. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of occluding said uterine artery comprises temporarily occluding said uterine artery.

9. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of occluding said uterine artery comprises permanently occluding said uterine artery.

10. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of occluding said uterine artery comprises completely occluding said uterine artery.

11. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of occluding said uterine artery comprises occluding said uterine artery with a form of ionizing radiation selected from the group consisting of X rays, gamma rays, and implanting brachytherapy seeds.

12. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of occluding said uterine artery comprises occluding said uterine artery with heat transfer selected from the group consisting of lasers, hot fluid, cold fluid, RF energy, microwave, focused ultrasound, and mechanical ultrasound.

13. A method of treating a disorder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of occluding said uterine artery comprises occluding said uterine artery the group consisting of injecting occluding particles into said uterine artery, injecting a thrombolytic agent into said uterine artery, systemically administering an agent to a vasculature which leads to said uterine artery and locally activating said agent, and coagulating blood in said uterine artery by localized heating of said blood.

14. A method of treating a disorder that receives blood from at least one uterine artery by at least partially cutting off the blood supply to said disorder, comprising the steps of:

penetrating tissue to reach a point adjacent said uterine artery; and

occluding said uterine artery to at least partially cut off the blood supply to said disorder;

wherein said step of occluding said uterine artery comprises occluding said uterine artery with a mechanism selected from the group consisting of a clip, a T-bar, a loop, a snare, a coil, a bulk agent, and a staple.

15. A method of treating a disorder that receives blood from at least one uterine artery by at least partially cutting off the blood supply to said disorder, comprising the steps of:

penetrating tissue to reach a point adjacent said uterine artery; and

occluding said uterine artery to at least partially cut off the blood supply to said disorder;

wherein said step of occluding said uterine artery comprises occluding said uterine artery with a chemical agent selected from the group consisting of EtOH, Sotradechol, acids, and bases.