Multi-axial uterine artery identification, characterization, and occlusion devices and methods
AssigneeVascular Control System
InventorsFred H. Burbank, Greig E. Altieri, Michael L. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is provided for compressing one or both of the uterine arteries of a patient which is at least in part shaped to complement the shape of the exterior of the cervix, which allows the system to be self-positioning. One or more Doppler chips can be mounted or incorporated into the system which permit the practitioner to better identify the uterine artery and monitor blood flow therein. A tenaculum-like element can be further included which secures the system to the patient's cervix.
Claims80
A device useful for compressing a uterine artery of a patient comprising:
- a handle having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a compressing portion mounted to the handle distal end, the compressing portion having a distal end face and a side surface.
A device useful for compressing a uterine artery of a patient comprising:
- a handle having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a cylindrical compressing portion mounted to the handle distal end, the compressing portion including a distal end having a distal end face, and including a hollow interior space sized to receive a cervix of a female human patient therein when the compressing portion is located around the cervix and the distal end face is positioned against the vaginal fornix of a female human patient.
A device useful for compressing a uterine artery of a patient comprising:
- a compressing portion having a distal end face, a proximal end, and a side surface;
- a force transmission block attached to the compressing portion proximal end;
- and
- a grasping device attached to the force transmission block, the grasping device extending adjacent to the compressing portion.
A device useful for compressing a uterine artery of a patient comprising:
- a compressing portion having a distal end face, a proximal end, and a side surface;
- and
- a dilator having at least one element movable between a retracted position and a laterally extended position;
- wherein when the dilator is inserted into the cervix of the patient, the compressing portion is positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the cervix of the patient, and the at least one element is moved from the retracted position to the laterally extended position, the cervix is pinched between the at least one element and the compressing portion.
A method of occluding a uterine artery of a female human patient, the patient having a uterus, a cervix with a cervical os, and a vaginal wall with a vaginal fornix, comprising:
- pushing a compressing member upwardly toward the uterine artery until the compressing member reaches the vaginal fornix;
- pushing the compressing member upwardly to distend the vaginal wall at the vaginal fornix adjacent to the uterine artery;
- and
- pushing the uterine artery with the compressing member upwardly to compress the uterine artery against the uterus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.