Method and device for uterine fibroid treatment
First Claim
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1. A method for minimally invasive treatment of uterine fibroids, said method comprising:
- introducing a sheath into a uterus, said sheath having a longitudinal axis;
determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath, wherein the visualization element produces an imaging field transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sheath and wherein both the visualization element and the imaging field are deflectable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sheath;
advancing a hollow needle from the sheath through a wall of the uterus and across the imaging field;
advancing a plurality of diverging needles from the hollow needle into the fibroid; and
treating the fibroid with the diverging needles, wherein the diverging needles remain within the limits of the imaging field during treatment, andwherein determining the location of the fibroid comprises rotating the visualization element and the imaging field about the longitudinal axis of the sheath independently of the plurality of diverging needles after the hollow needle has been advanced through the wall of the uterus and across the imaging filed.
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Abstract
Methods and devices for both imaging and treating uterine fibroid tumors in one real-time system are provided. One minimally invasive method comprises introducing a sheath into a uterus and determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath. Upon identification, a portion of the sheath is steered to position at least one treatment needle at the determined location. The needle is then anchored in uterine tissue and the fibroid treated with the needle.
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11 Claims
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1. A method for minimally invasive treatment of uterine fibroids, said method comprising:
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introducing a sheath into a uterus, said sheath having a longitudinal axis; determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath, wherein the visualization element produces an imaging field transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sheath and wherein both the visualization element and the imaging field are deflectable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sheath; advancing a hollow needle from the sheath through a wall of the uterus and across the imaging field; advancing a plurality of diverging needles from the hollow needle into the fibroid; and treating the fibroid with the diverging needles, wherein the diverging needles remain within the limits of the imaging field during treatment, and wherein determining the location of the fibroid comprises rotating the visualization element and the imaging field about the longitudinal axis of the sheath independently of the plurality of diverging needles after the hollow needle has been advanced through the wall of the uterus and across the imaging filed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification