Method and apparatus for the prevention of endometrial hyperplasis and uterine cancer

• US 6,752,802 B1
• Filed: 07/09/2002
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Isenberg, Richard, Lippman, Joel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/191,134
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 606/20-23, 606/27-29, 606/41, 606/45, 606/49, 607/96, 607/98, 607/99, 607/101, 607/102, 607/104, 607/105, 607/113, 607/114, 607/138, 514/178
• US Class Current: 606/28
• 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 2018/046 in liquid form

Abstract

A method for treating endometrial hyperplasia or uterine cancer in menopausal women including performing endometrial ablation in a menopausal woman to thereby ablate substantially all of the endometrium, and administering a hormone therapy of unopposed estrogen. A method is also provided including performing endometrial ablation in a menopausal woman using a thermal ablation technique, and administering a hormone therapy comprising unopposed estrogen.

Claims

1. A method for treating endometrial hyperplasia or uterine cancer in menopausal women comprising:

performing endometrial ablation in a menopausal woman to thereby ablate substantially all of the endometrium; and

administering a hormone therapy comprising unopposed estrogen.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performing step is performed using a thermal ablation technique.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the performing step is performed using a heated fluid in the uterine cavity.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the performing step is performed using a heated fluid within a distendable bladder that substantially conforms to an interior shape of the uterus.

5. A method for treating endometrial hyperplasia or uterine cancer in menopausal women comprising:

performing endometrial ablation in a menopausal woman using a thermal ablation technique; and

administering a hormone therapy comprising unopposed estrogen.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the thermal ablation technique is a heated balloon thermal ablation technique.