Intra-cavitary ultrasound medical system and method
First Claim
1. A method for medically employing ultrasound within a body cavity of a patient comprising the steps of:
- a) obtaining an end effector having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly;
b) obtaining a biocompatible hygroscopic substance having a non-expanded anhydrous state and having an expanded and fluidly-loculated hydrated state;
c) inserting the end effector including the transducer assembly into the body cavity of the patient;
d) inserting the substance in substantially its anhydrous state into the body cavity;
e) after steps a) through d), medically imaging and/or medically treating patient tissue with ultrasound from the transducer assembly; and
f) after step e) allowing the substance to remain in the body cavity for at least one of natural secretion and absorption followed by natural elimination and vacuuming the substance from the body cavity.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for medically employing ultrasound within a body cavity of a patient. An end effector is obtained having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. A biocompatible hygroscopic substance is obtained having a non-expanded anhydrous state and having an expanded and fluidly-loculated hydrated state. The end effector, including the transducer assembly, and the substance in substantially its anhydrous state are inserted into a body cavity (such as endoscopically inserted into a uterus) of a patient. The transducer assembly is used to medically image and/or medically treat patient tissue (such as stopping blood flow to, and/or ablating, a uterine fibroid). A system for medically employing ultrasound includes the end effector and the substance. In another system, the end effector includes the substance. The substance in its hydrated state expands inside the body cavity providing acoustic coupling between the wall of the body cavity and the transducer assembly.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for medically employing ultrasound within a body cavity of a patient comprising the steps of:
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a) obtaining an end effector having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly; b) obtaining a biocompatible hygroscopic substance having a non-expanded anhydrous state and having an expanded and fluidly-loculated hydrated state; c) inserting the end effector including the transducer assembly into the body cavity of the patient; d) inserting the substance in substantially its anhydrous state into the body cavity; e) after steps a) through d), medically imaging and/or medically treating patient tissue with ultrasound from the transducer assembly; and f) after step e) allowing the substance to remain in the body cavity for at least one of natural secretion and absorption followed by natural elimination and vacuuming the substance from the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for medically employing ultrasound within a body cavity of a patient comprising:
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a) an end effector having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly, wherein the end effector including the transducer assembly is insertable into the body cavity of the patient; and b) a biocompatible hygroscopic substance having a non-expanded anhydrous state and having an expanded and fluidly-loculated hydrated state, wherein the substance is insertable in substantially its anhydrous state into the body cavity; wherein the medical transducer assembly is adapted to medically image and/or medically treat patient tissue with ultrasound, and wherein the substance is at least one of naturally secretable from the body cavity, absorbable within patient tissue and later naturally eliminatable from the body, and vacuumable from the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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- 15. A system for medically employing ultrasound within a body cavity of a patient comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector includes a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and a biocompatible hygroscopic substance, wherein the end effector including the transducer assembly is insertable into the body cavity of the patient, wherein the transducer assembly includes an ultrasound transducer adapted to medically image and/or medically treat patient tissue, wherein the substance has a non-expanded anhydrous state, has an expanded and fluidly-loculated hydrated state, and is disposed in substantially its anhydrous state on at least a portion of the outside of the transducer assembly, and wherein the substance is at least one of naturally secretable from the body cavity, absorbable within patient tissue and later naturally eliminatable from the body, and vacuumable from the body cavity.
Specification