Positioning method and apparatus for delivering vapor to the uterus

• US 9,743,974 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2011
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aegea Medical Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aegea Medical Inc.
• Inventors: Gurskis, Donnell William, Peliks, Robert Bilgor, Magen, Hugh Edward, Daniels, Roxanne, Bacich, Steven Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Piateski, Erin M
• Application Number:
  US13/292,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20120184949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,120 Days
• Field of Search: 606 27, 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 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation

Abstract

A method and system of providing therapy to a patient'"'"'s uterus. The method can include the steps of inserting a uterine ablation device into the uterus; expanding a distal anchor; inflating a proximal balloon to pull the distal anchor proximally and seat the distal anchor against the internal os of the uterus; inflating a central balloon to seal the cervix; delivering vapor from the uterine ablation device into the uterus; and condensing the vapor on tissue within the uterus. The can include a cervical collar adapted to place a distal portion of the device within the uterus when the cervical collar contacts an external os of the cervix.

Claims

1. A method of delivering vapor to a uterus of a patient, comprising:

inserting a portion of a uterine ablation device into the uterus of the patient;

inflating a distal balloon of the uterine ablation device in the uterus;

inflating a proximal balloon of the uterine ablation device against a cervical canal of the patient, against an external os of the patient, and into a vagina of the patient to pull the uterine ablation device proximally and place the distal balloon against an internal os of the patient;

inflating a central balloon within the cervical canal; and

delivering a heated vapor to the uterus to ablate uterine tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the inserting step further comprises inserting the uterine ablation device into the uterus of the patient so as to position a distal tip of the device distally to the internal os of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflating the distal balloon step further comprises inflating the distal balloon distally to the internal os of the patient.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the distal balloon has a donut shape.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflating the central balloon step further comprises inflating the central balloon against a cervical canal and the internal os of the patient.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflating the proximal balloon step is performed after the inflating the distal balloon step.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflating the central balloon step is performed after the inflating the proximal balloon step.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising;

prior to the delivering step, collapsing the distal balloon of the uterine ablation device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the central balloon does not extend into the uterus or into the vagina of the patient when inflated.