Cryosurgical method for endometrial ablation

A method of performing endometrial ablation, sequentially comprising:

• providing a cryosurgical apparatus including:
• a cryosurgical probe having a heat transfer element;
• and
• a refrigeration system adapted to deliver a refrigerant to the probe, and adapted to expand the refrigerant adjacent to the heat transfer element;
• inserting the cryosurgical probe into a cryosurgical sheath such that a thermally conductive portion of the sheath covers the heat transfer element of the probe, and providing a thermally conductive medium between the heat transfer element of the probe and the thermally conductive portion of the sheath;
• advancing the cryosurgical probe through the cervical os and angling the probe toward a first one of the left and right cornu;
• freezing with the cryosurgical probe;
• monitoring the freezing process with ultrasound;
• ending the freezing when the ultrasound indicates that an outer edge of an ice ball forming on the probe has reached the serosal surface of the uterine cavity;
• heating so as to disengage the cryosurgical probe from the ice ball;
• repositioning the cryosurgical probe toward a second one of the left and right cornu;
• freezing with the cryosurgical probe;
• monitoring the freezing process with ultrasound;
• and
• ending the freezing when the ultrasound indicates that an outer edge of an ice ball forming on the probe has reached the serosal surface of the uterine cavity.