Device for thermal ablation of a cavity
First Claim
1. A device for causing necrosis of tissue comprising:
- a liquid-tight system having a distal flexible member;
a proximal flexible member; and
a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between said distal and proximal members, the system containing a liquid;
a pneumatic chamber into which the flexible proximal member may be inserted;
a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber and thereby heat the liquid in the flexible proximal member; and
a means to apply variable pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic chamber to initiate liquid flow between the distal member and the proximal member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for causing necrosis of tissue and specifically intended for thermal ablation of the uterine cavity to cauterizing the endometrial tissue. The apparatus includes a liquid-tight, liquid filled system having a distal flexible member; a proximal flexible member; and a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between these distal and proximal members. The apparatus further includes a pressurizable pneumatic chamber into which the proximal flexible member is inserted and a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber. The system operates to: first withdraw substantially all of the liquid into the proximal flexible member contained within the pressurizable pneumatic chamber; second to heat this liquid to a temperature such that it can cause tissue necrosis; and third to force the heated liquid from the proximal flexible member into the distal flexible member where it is maintained for a predetermined time and at a predetermined pressure. Where this distal member has been inserted into a uterine cavity or is otherwise is in contact with living tissue, the presence of the heated liquid results in tissue necrosis and cauterization.
296 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for causing necrosis of tissue comprising:
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a liquid-tight system having a distal flexible member;
a proximal flexible member; and
a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between said distal and proximal members, the system containing a liquid;
a pneumatic chamber into which the flexible proximal member may be inserted;
a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber and thereby heat the liquid in the flexible proximal member; and
a means to apply variable pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic chamber to initiate liquid flow between the distal member and the proximal member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10)
(a) first draw substantially all of the liquid into the proximal member by applying and maintaining a negative pressure in the pneumatic chamber such that the distal member contains minimal liquid;
(b) while maintaining this negative pressure in the pneumatic chamber, operate the means to heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber in order to heat the liquid within the proximal member to a pre-determined temperature;
(c) then inject a volume of the heated liquid into the distal member by applying a positive pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic chamber;
(d) then modulate the pressure in the pneumatic chamber such that the heated liquid is held in the distal member at a pre-determined pressure for a predetermined time; and
(e) after said predetermined time withdraw the liquid from the distal member into the proximal member by applying a negative pressure to the pneumatic chamber.
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6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid within the liquid tight system is such that it can be heated to temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Celsius at sea level without boiling.
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7. An apparatus according to claim 1 where said catheter joining and providing a liquid path between said distal and proximal members includes a surrounding sheath of thermal insulating material covering a portion of the catheter where the sheath has a proximal and distal section which are separated by a flange of sufficient diameter such that it cannot be inserted through the cervical opening.
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10. A method as described in claim 7 in which step (d) further includes heating the liquid contained in the first bladder using a heat releasing element located in the first bladder.
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8. A device for facilitating necrosis of tissue comprising:
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a distal flexible bladder;
a proximal flexible bladder;
a catheter joining said distal and proximal flexible bladders in a liquid tight system, a liquid inside the system to flow between the two bladders;
wherein the liquid is in amount that permits the distal member to substantially deflate when the liquid is moved out of the distal end and wherein the liquid is of a type wherein the liquid viscosity substantially decreases when heated;
a connector for connecting the device to a pressurizing source; and
a means to heat the liquid in order to reduce the viscosity of the liquid.
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9. A method for causing necrosis of a the tissue in a body cavity comprising the steps of:
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inserting a first bladder into a body cavity where said first bladder is in liquid communication with a second liquid filled bladder and preheating the liquid contained in said second bladder to a known temperature;
forcing the heated liquid contained within said second bladder into said first bladder contained in the body cavity;
maintaining the heated liquid in said first bladder for a predetermined time to dissipate heat energy to the tissues of the surrounding body cavity; and
after said predetermined time, drawing the liquid contained in said first bladder back into said second bladder, thereby allowing removal of said first bladder from the body cavity.
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Specification