Method for cervical dilation and/or measurement
First Claim
1. A method for performing cervical dilation, comprising the steps of:
- providing a medical device having an array of movable elements disposed circumferentially about an axis and a plurality of wires coupled to the array of movable elements;
positioning the medical device proximate a region of cervical tissue to be dilated; and
applying a force to the plurality of wires thereby extending the array of movable elements, such that the entirety of each movable element radially extends from the axis to cause dilation of the cervical tissue,wherein each movable element is spaced a distance outwardly from the axis, is disposed a distance from an adjacent movable element, and is positioned such that the entirety of each movable element is substantially parallel to the axis about which the array of movable elements is disposed.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a medical device for measuring and/or providing cervical dilation including an elongate body defining a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an expandable element coupled to the distal end of the elongate body. An array of movable elements may be disposed circumferentially about the elongate body, where the array of movable elements is movably coupled to the distal end of the elongate body by a plurality of wires. The medical device may further include a measurement mechanism able to determine a radial spacing of the array of movable elements, as well as a dilation indicator in communication with the measurement mechanism. One or more pressure sensors may be coupled to the array of movable elements, whereby a control element is in communication with the pressure sensors. In addition, an inflation source may be included in fluid communication with the expandable element.
113 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method for performing cervical dilation, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a medical device having an array of movable elements disposed circumferentially about an axis and a plurality of wires coupled to the array of movable elements; positioning the medical device proximate a region of cervical tissue to be dilated; and applying a force to the plurality of wires thereby extending the array of movable elements, such that the entirety of each movable element radially extends from the axis to cause dilation of the cervical tissue, wherein each movable element is spaced a distance outwardly from the axis, is disposed a distance from an adjacent movable element, and is positioned such that the entirety of each movable element is substantially parallel to the axis about which the array of movable elements is disposed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for performing cervical dilation, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a medical device having an array of movable elements disposed circumferentially about an axis, a plurality of wires coupled to the array of movable elements, an expandable element coupled to the array of movable elements, and a pressure sensor coupled to the array of movable elements; positioning the medical device proximate a region of cervical tissue to be dilated; and inflating the expandable element, thereby applying a force to the plurality of wires and extending the array of movable elements, such that the entirety of each movable element radially extends from the axis to cause dilation of the cervical tissue, wherein each movable element is spaced a distance outwardly from the axis, is disposed a distance from an adjacent movable element, and is positioned such that the entirety of each movable element is substantially parallel to the axis about which the array of movable elements is disposed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for performing cervical dilation, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a medical device having an array of movable elements disposed circumferentially about an axis, a plurality of wires coupled to the array of movable elements, an expandable element coupled to the array of movable elements, and a pressure sensor coupled to the array of movable elements; positioning the medical device proximate a region of cervical tissue to be dilated; inflating the expandable element, thereby applying a force to the plurality of wires and extending the array of movable elements, such that the entirety of each movable element radially extends from the axis to cause dilation of the cervical tissue, wherein each movable element is spaced a distance outwardly from the axis, is disposed a distance from an adjacent movable element, and is positioned such that the entirety of each movable element is substantially parallel to the axis about which the array of movable elements is disposed; measuring a pressure level between at least a portion of the medical device and a portion of the cervical tissue; and measuring a radial spacing of the array of movable elements.
-
Specification