Echogenic needle for transvaginal ultrasound directed reduction of uterine fibroids and an associated method
First Claim
1. An echogenic medical needle for transvaginal ultrasound directed reduction of uterine myomas and fibroids comprising:
- an electrically conductive outer tubular member having an inner surface, a distal end having a echogenic surface formed therein, and a proximal end;
an active electrode near said distal end;
a radiofrequency insulation sheath surrounding an outer portion of said outer member, said radiofrequency insulation defining a segment of said outer member that is insulated from radiofrequency and a segment of said outer member that is not radiofrequency-insulated, such that said radiofrequency insulation segment extends from said proximal end to said distal end;
an electrical connector attached to said proximal end that is in electrical communication with said active electrode; and
a vaginal ultrasonic probe baying an attached needle guide whereby said medical needle is positioned in said needle guide.
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Abstract
The invention is a transvaginal ultrasound probe having an attached echogenic needle that is useful in the treatment of uterine fibroids. The echogenic needle has an echogenic surface near its tip that allows the physician to visualize its location using ultrasound imaging. In one embodiment, the needle has an active electrode at its distal end. The active electrode supplies radio frequency energy to a fibroids causing necrosis of the targeted fibroid or by destroying the fibroid'"'"'s vascular supply. The radio frequency needle preferably has a safety device that shuts-off energy if the needle punctures the uterine wall. In a second embodiment, the needle has a cryogen supply tube and cryogen supply. This embodiment destroys fibroid tissue by freezing it or its vascular supply when the tissue comes in contact with the needle'"'"'s frozen distal end. The invention further includes the method of using the ultrasound probe with the attached needle.
151 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An echogenic medical needle for transvaginal ultrasound directed reduction of uterine myomas and fibroids comprising:
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an electrically conductive outer tubular member having an inner surface, a distal end having a echogenic surface formed therein, and a proximal end;
an active electrode near said distal end;
a radiofrequency insulation sheath surrounding an outer portion of said outer member, said radiofrequency insulation defining a segment of said outer member that is insulated from radiofrequency and a segment of said outer member that is not radiofrequency-insulated, such that said radiofrequency insulation segment extends from said proximal end to said distal end;
an electrical connector attached to said proximal end that is in electrical communication with said active electrode; and
a vaginal ultrasonic probe baying an attached needle guide whereby said medical needle is positioned in said needle guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23)
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20. A method for the electric surgery of myomas and fibroids in a uterus using a transvaginal ultrasound directed echogenic medical needle comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an ultrasound probe having a transducer and a needle guide attached to said probe;
b) providing an echogenic needle, the echogenic needle including an electrically conductive outer tubular member having an inner surface, a distal end having a echogenic surface formed therein, a proximal end, an active electrode proximate to said distal end, a radiofrequency insulation sheath surrounding an outer portion of said outer member, said radiofrequency insulation defining a segment of said outer member that is insulated from radiofrequency and a segment of said outer member that is not radiofrequency-insulated, such that said radiofrequency insulation segment extends from said proximal end to said distal end and an electrical connector attached to said proximal end that is capable of being in electrical communication with said active electrode;
c) inserting said ultrasound probe into said uterus;
d) inserting said echogenic needle into said uterus through said needle guide;
l) sensing the location of said myomas and said echogenic needle within said uterus with imaging from said ultrasonic probe;
f) guiding said echogenic needle to a surface of said fibroid using said ultrasound imaging;
g) positioning said echogenic needle on said surface of said fibroid; and
h) passing a controlled amount of radio frequency currant through said active electrode while said echogenic needle is in contact with said fibroid. - View Dependent Claims (21, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification