Device and method for positioning of a therapeutic device

A positioning system for a therapeutic device, comprising:

• a first signal handling unit sized and shaped for insertion to a reference depth within a urethra;
• a probe sized and shaped for insertion in a vaginal canal, the probe including an energy emitting head and a second signal handling unit, one of the first and second signal handling units comprising a transmitter and the other of the first and second signal handling units comprising one of a receiver adapted to receive a signal from the transmitter and a signal reflecting element wherein, when the other of the first and second signal handling units comprises a signal reflecting element, the one of the first and second signal handling units comprises a receiver adapted to receive a signal from the transmitter;
• and
• an output device providing a signal corresponding to a distance between the first and second signal handling units.

A method of treating tissue comprising:

• determining a location of a target portion of tissue to be treated based on a desired depth within a first body cavity;
• inserting a first signal handling unit into the first body cavity to the desired depth;
• inserting a therapeutic probe into a second body cavity, the therapeutic probe comprising a second signal handling unit, one of the first and second signal handling units comprising a transmitter and the other of the first and second signal handling units comprising one of a receiver and a signal reflecting element wherein, when the other of the first and second signal handling units comprises a signal reflecting element, the one of the first and second signal handling units comprises a receiver;
• advancing the therapeutic probe until a signal of the transmitter received by the receiver indicates a minimum distance between the first and second signal handling units;
• and
• operating the probe to treat tissue while the probe is in a position corresponding to the minimum distance.

A method of treating tissue comprising:

• determining a depth of target tissue to be treated based on a depth within a first body cavity;
• adjusting a position of a measuring element of a probe so that a distance along an axis of the probe between a contacting surface of the measuring element and a treatment element of the probe substantially equals the depth of the target tissue within the first body cavity;
• advancing the therapeutic probe into a second body cavity until the contacting surface contacts tissue adjacent to an opening to the first body cavity;
• and
• operating the treatment element.