# US 10,499,981 B2 · Intrauterine treatment device with articulating array

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- Number: US 10,499,981 B2
- Document ID: US10499981B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/878,326
- Filed: 2018-01-23
- Published: 2018-07-19
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-13
- Assignees: Hologic, Inc.
- Applicants: Hologic, Inc.
- Inventors: Jeffrey Model
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499981B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/1485: {having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings}
- A61B 17/42: Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods {(ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708)}
- A61B 2017/00557: {inflatable (A61B2017/22051 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/4216: {Operations on uterus, e.g. endometrium}
- A61B 2018/00559: {Female reproductive organs}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00791: {Temperature}
- A61B 2034/302: {specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities}
- A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An intrauterine device includes an articulating array. The intrauterine device can be operated by articulating the articulating array into an installed position or geometry within the uterus of a patient. Further, the articulating array can be constructed to include an insertion geometry have a smaller cross section than an installation geometry. The articulating array can also be constructed to be housed within a sheath in the intrauterine device. Once the sheath has been inserted into a patient, for example through the patient's cervix, the articulating array can be deployed in its insertion geometry and then articulated into an installed position. The articulating array can include a plurality of expansion chambers. The expansion chambers can be constructed and arranged to take on the installed geometry when expanded. In one embodiment, the purpose of the articulating array is to position a conductive array within the patient's uterus enabling ablation of the uterine lining.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An intrauterine ablation device, comprising:
a sheath configured for transcervical introduction;
an articulating array slidably disposed within the sheath and comprising at least three serially disposed expansion chambers, the articulating array having an insertion geometry in which the expansion chambers are linearly aligned in a deflated configuration that may be inserted into a uterus through the sheath, and an installed geometry, in which the expansion chambers are inflated and are rolled into a non-linear configuration;
a conductive array disposed on a surface of the articulating array, wherein the conductive array is configured to contact uterine wall tissue when the conductive array is inserted into the uterus and transitioned to the installed geometry; and
a port configured to receive an inflation media, wherein delivery of the inflation media to the expansion chambers causes the articulating array to transition from the insertion geometry to the installed geometry.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine ablation device of claim 1, the at least three serially disposed expansion chambers of the articulating array including at least first, second and third expansion chambers, wherein the second expansion chamber is disposed between the first and third expansion chambers, so that a proximal portion of the second expansion chamber is disposed adjacent to a distal portion of the first expansion chamber, and a distal portion of the second expansion chamber is disposed adjacent to a proximal portion of the third expansion chamber, wherein when the articulating array is positioned within a uterus via the sheath, and transitioned from the insertion geometry to the installed geometry, the respective first, second and third expansion chambers place the conductive array into contact with uterine wall tissue.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, wherein the conductive array comprises a mesh structure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, wherein the articulating array further comprises a plurality of channels fluidly coupled to the expansion chambers for delivering and/or withdrawing the inflation media to the expansion chambers through the channels.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, wherein inflation of the expansion chambers causes the articulating array to transition from the insertion geometry into the installed geometry.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, wherein the installed geometry comprises a furled frond-like configuration.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, further comprising a contact sensor disposed on an outer surface of the articulating array.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, further comprising a strain gauge coupled to the articulating array.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor configured to sense the installed geometry of the articulating array.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, further comprising at least one inflation member having an inflation lumen fluidly coupled to the expansion chambers, with a proximal end of the inflation member configured for fluidly coupling the inflation lumen with a source of inflation media.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control pressure within the expansion chambers so as to transition the articulating array between the insertion geometry and the installed geometry.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, wherein the installed geometry is defined by an elasticity of the expansion chambers.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The intrauterine device of claim 1, wherein the installed geometry is triangular, circular, or diamond-shaped.