US 11,766,212 B2Granted

Systems and methods for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity

AssigneeMinerva Surgical, Inc.

InventorsDominique Filloux, Dave Clapper, Eugene Skalnyi, Akos Toth, Sean Darby, Tejas N. Mazmudar, Estela Hilario

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Abstract

A system for accessing a patient's uterine cavity and detecting perforations in the uterus includes an elongated probe having a flow channel extending to a terminal outlet in a distal region of the probe. A fluid source is coupled to the flow channel, and a seal on the probe is positionable in an endocervical canal. The probe may be trans-cervical inserted into the uterine cavity, and a fluid may be introduced through the channel to flow outwardly from the terminal outlet into the uterine cavity. A parameter of said fluid flow is monitored to detect a perforation in the uterus.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for positioning an expandable-collapsible energy applicator in a patient's uterine cavity, said method comprising:

introducing an elongated shaft carrying the expandable-collapsible energy applicator through a cervix of the patient into the uterine cavity,
wherein the expandable-collapsible energy applicator is configured to be expanded to a triangular shape within the uterine cavity,
the expandable-collapsible energy applicator having a first distal apex and a second distal apex,
wherein a first flow channel tubing extends along a first lateral side of the expandable-collapsible energy applicator to the first distal apex and a second flow channel tubing extends along a second lateral side of the expandable-collapsible energy applicator to the second distal apex;
introducing a fluid flow into the uterine cavity through the first flow channel tubing to a first distal outlet in the first distal apex and through the second flow channel tubing to a second distal outlet in the second distal apex with the expandable-collapsible energy applicator positioned within the uterine cavity;
monitoring at least one parameter of the fluid flow to detect a perforation in the uterus,
wherein the at least one parameter is selected from a group consisting of fluid flow rate, fluid pressure, and fluid flow volume.

4 more elements

A method for positioning an expandable-collapsible energy applicator in a patient's uterine cavity, said method comprising:

introducing an elongated shaft carrying the expandable-collapsible energy applicator through a cervix of the patient into the uterine cavity,
wherein the expandable-collapsible energy applicator is configured to be expanded to a triangular shape within the uterine cavity,
the expandable-collapsible energy applicator having a first distal apex and a second distal apex,
wherein a first enclosed flow channel extends along a first lateral side of the expandable-collapsible energy applicator to the first distal apex and a second enclosed flow channel extends along a second lateral side of the expandable-collapsible energy applicator to the second distal apex;
introducing a fluid flow into the uterine cavity through the first enclosed flow channel to a first distal outlet of the first enclosed flow channel at the first distal apex and through the second enclosed flow channel to a second distal outlet of the first enclosed flow channel at the second distal apex with the expandable-collapsible energy applicator positioned within the uterine cavity;
monitoring at least one parameter of the fluid flow to detect a perforation in the uterus,
wherein the at least one parameter is selected from a group consisting of fluid flow rate, fluid pressure, and fluid flow volume.

4 more elements

A method for positioning an expandable-collapsible energy applicator in a patient's uterine cavity, said method comprising:

introducing an elongated shaft carrying the expandable-collapsible energy applicator through a cervix of the patient into the uterine cavity,
wherein the expandable-collapsible energy applicator is configured to be expanded to a triangular shape within the uterine cavity,
the expandable-collapsible energy applicator having a first distal apex and a second distal apex,
wherein a first flow channel tubing extends along a first lateral side of the expandable-collapsible energy applicator to the first distal apex and a second flow channel tubing extends along a second lateral side of the expandable-collapsible energy applicator to the second distal apex;
introducing a fluid flow into the uterine cavity through the first flow channel tubing to a first outlet of the first flow channel tubing and through the second flow channel tubing to a second outlet of the second flow channel tubing with the expandable-collapsible energy applicator positioned within the uterine cavity,
wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are positioned along an exterior of the expandable-collapsible energy applicator;
monitoring at least one parameter of the fluid flow to detect a perforation in the uterus,
wherein the at least one parameter is selected from a group consisting of fluid flow rate, fluid pressure, and fluid flow volume.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/245,438Filed 30 Apr 2021 · continuation
Priority: 27 Jan 2017
Published: US 2022/0015689 A120 Jan 2022
Granted: 26 Sep 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

A61B 5/4325
Evaluation of the lower reproductive system: of the uterine cavities, e.g. uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries
A61B 5/4836
Other medical applications: diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods
A61B 18/042
By heating: using additional gas becoming plasma
A61B 18/082
By means of electrically-heated probes: probes or electrodes therefor

Family

Application15/418,635Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 27 Jan 2017
Application62/473,049Us provisional application · filed 17 Mar 2017
PCT/US2018/015774Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 29 Jan 2018
Application15/954,491Parent of this continuation · filed 16 Apr 2018
US 10,213,151 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 26 Feb 2019
US 2022/0015689 A1Pre-grant publication · published 20 Jan 2022
US 11,020,045 B2Parent of this continuation
Application15/954,491Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2018/0214067 A1Published application
US 2018/0263550 A1Published application
US 11,766,212 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.