US 12,616,503 B2Granted

Methods for postpartum uterine hemostasis

AssigneeALC Medical Holdings LLC

InventorJennifer Rae West

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A method of uterine hemostasis involves inserting a suction line of a postpartum hemorrhage mitigation device through a cesarian incision into the uterine cavity, guiding the suction line through the cervix and into the vagina, positioning an anchoring mechanism of the device adjacent the internal cervical OS of the uterine cavity, closing the cesarian incision to enclose the suction line within the uterine cavity, and connecting the suction line to a negative pressure source that introduces negative pressure to the uterine cavity via the suction line, thereby causing contraction of the uterus and evacuation of fluid from the uterus via the suction line extension. Upon completion of a treatment period, the negative pressure source is disconnected, and the suction line and anchoring mechanism are extracted from the uterus through the cervical canal and the vagina.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of uterine hemostasis using a postpartum hemorrhage mitigation device that is configured to be disposed within a uterine cavity of a uterus after childbirth, wherein the postpartum hemorrhage mitigation device includes a suction line and an anchoring mechanism, the suction line having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal portion comprising a suction line extension, wherein the anchoring mechanism is configured to maintain the suction line extension in a desired position within the uterine cavity, the method comprising:

(a) inserting the distal portion of the suction line through a cesarian incision into the uterine cavity;
(b) guiding the distal portion of the suction line through the uterine cavity, into and through the cervix, and into and through the vagina;
(c) positioning the anchoring mechanism adjacent the internal cervical OS of the uterine cavity;
(d) closing the cesarian incision to enclose the proximal portion of the suction line within the uterine cavity;
(e) connecting the distal portion of the suction line to a source of negative pressure, thereby introducing negative pressure to the uterine cavity via the suction line during a treatment period, which causes contraction of the uterus and evacuation of fluid from the uterus via the suction line extension;
(f) upon completion of the treatment period, detaching the suction line from the source of negative pressure;
and
(g) extracting the suction line extension and the anchoring mechanism from the uterus by pulling the proximal portion of the suction line through the cervical canal and into the vagina.

5 more elements

A method of uterine hemostasis using a postpartum hemorrhage mitigation device that includes a suction line and an anchoring mechanism attached to the suction line, the suction line having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion including a tapered tip, and the proximal portion including a suction line extension configured to be disposed within a uterine cavity of a uterus after childbirth, wherein the anchoring mechanism is configured to slide along an outside surface of the suction line to selectively adjust a position of the anchoring mechanism with respect to the suction line extension, the method comprising:

(a) sliding the anchoring mechanism to a location on the suction line that will provide for proper positioning of the suction line extension based on the size of the uterus;
(b) inserting the tapered tip of the suction line through a cesarian incision into the uterine cavity;
(c) guiding the tapered tip of the suction line through the uterine cavity, into and through the cervix, and into and through the vagina;
(d) positioning the anchoring mechanism adjacent the internal cervical OS of the uterine cavity, thereby creating a fluid seal between the anchoring mechanism and the internal cervical OS;
(e) closing the cesarian incision to enclose the proximal portion of the suction line within the uterine cavity;
(f) removing the tapered tip from the suction line and connecting the distal portion of the suction line to a source of negative pressure, thereby introducing negative pressure to the uterine cavity via the suction line during a treatment period, which causes contraction of the uterus and evacuation of fluid from the uterus via the suction line extension;
(g) upon completion of the treatment period, detaching the suction line from the source of negative pressure;
and
(h) extracting the suction line extension and the anchoring mechanism from the uterus by pulling the proximal portion of the suction line through the cervical canal and into the vagina.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/895,980Filed 25 Sep 2024 · continuation in part
Priority: 6 Apr 2022
Published: US 2025/0009390 A19 Jan 2025
Granted: 5 May 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

A61B 17/42
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods
A61M 25/04
Holding devices, e.g. on the body: in the body, e.g. expansible
A61B 2017/00849
Low friction: with respect to tissue, e.g. hollow organs
A61B 2017/00942
Material properties: hydrophilic

Family

Application63/328,257Us provisional application · filed 6 Apr 2022
Application18/185,311Parent of this continuation · filed 16 Mar 2023
Application18/500,571Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 2 Nov 2023
US 11,839,408 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 12 Dec 2023
US 2025/0009390 A1Pre-grant publication · published 9 Jan 2025
US 12,508,053 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
Application18/500,571Parent of this continuation
US 2023/0320753 A1Published application
US 2024/0115293 A1Published application
US 12,616,503 B2This patent

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