Fibroid treatment apparatus and method

• US 8,357,176 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fibro Control, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fibro Control, Inc.
• Inventors: Gross, Yossi
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDOZA, MICHAEL G
• Application Number:
  US12/374,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20090318950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,015 Days
• Field of Search: 606/119, 606191-195, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/193
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12009 Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22067 Blocking; Occlusion A61B2017/22054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0037 characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0197 for creating an artificial passage within the body, e.g. in order to go around occlusions
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1054 having detachable or disposable balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1061 having separate inflations tubes, e.g. coaxial tubes or tubes otherwise arranged apart from the catheter tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence

Abstract

Apparatus is provided, including a tube (22) that is configured to pass into a patient'"'"'s vagina (26) and to penetrate vaginal tissue (24) until a distal tip (36) of the tube is outside of a uterine artery (28) of the patient, but in a vicinity of a portion (38) of the uterine artery that supplies a uterine fibroid (30). A balloon (40), disposed at the distal tip, is inflated to cause local squeezing of the portion of the uterine artery to an extent sufficient to occlude the uterine artery. Other embodiments are also described.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

advancing a tool to a site within a patient, by penetrating vaginal tissue of the patient, the site being outside of a vagina of the patient and outside of a uterine artery of the patient, but in a vicinity of a portion of the uterine artery that supplies a uterine fibroid; and

squeezing the portion of the uterine artery with a balloon disposed at a distal tip of the tool, to an extent sufficient to occlude the uterine artery, by placing the balloon on a single side of the uterine artery and inflating the balloon, while the balloon is disposed on the single side of the uterine artery.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tool includes a tube and the balloon is coupled to the tube.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method does not comprise performing lumbar puncture.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying attainment of a desired endpoint of the occluding of the uterine artery.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising terminating the squeezing in response to the identifying, wherein the method comprises, subsequently to the terminating, maintaining at least a portion of the tool within the patient for at least 7 days.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising terminating the squeezing, without active human intervention, while the tool is within the patient.

7. A method, comprising:

surgically implanting a balloon within a patient, by advancing a tool to a site within a patient, by penetrating vaginal tissue of the patient, the site being outside of a vagina of the patient and outside of a uterine artery of the patient, but in a vicinity of a portion of the uterine artery that supplies a uterine fibroid, the balloon being disposed at the distal tip of the tube;

squeezing the portion of the uterine artery with the balloon, to an extent sufficient to occlude the uterine artery, by placing the balloon on a single side of the uterine artery and inflating the balloon, while the balloon is disposed on the single side of the uterine artery; and

configuring the balloon to deflate, without human intervention, within 36 hours.

8. A method, comprising:

surgically implanting a balloon within a patient, via a vagina of the patient, by advancing a tool to a site within a patient, by penetrating vaginal tissue of the patient, the site being outside of a vagina of the patient and outside of a uterine artery of the patient, but in a vicinity of a portion of the uterine disposed at the distal tip of the tube;

squeezing the portion of the uterine artery with the balloon, to an extent sufficient to occlude the uterine artery, by placing the balloon on a single side of the uterine artery and inflating the balloon, while the balloon is disposed on the single side of the uterine artery; and

configuring the balloon to deflate without human intervention.

9. A method, comprising:

implanting a biodegradable balloon within a patient, by advancing a tool to a site within a patient, by penetrating vaginal tissue of the patient, the site being outside of a vagina of the patient and outside of a uterine artery of the patient, but in a vicinity of a portion of the uterine artery that supplies a uterine fibroid, the balloon being disposed at the distal tip of the tube; and

squeezing the portion of the uterine artery with the balloon, to an extent sufficient to occlude the uterine artery, by placing the balloon on a single side of the uterine artery and inflating the balloon, while the balloon is disposed on the single side of the uterine artery.