# US 2008/0188863 A1 · Uterine artery occlusion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0188863 A1 - Document ID: US20080188863A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/018,519 - Filed: 2008-01-23 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-07 - Inventors: Michael S. H. Chu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188863A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/12: for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels or umbilical cord - A61B 17/12013: {for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 17/42: Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods {(ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708)} - A61B 2017/00907: {for light} - A61B 2017/12018: {Elastic band ligators} - A61B 2017/22067: {Blocking; Occlusion (A61B2017/22054 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/308: {with suction cups} - A61B 2017/3484: {Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure} - A61B 2017/349: {Trocar with thread on outside} - A61B 2017/4225: {Cervix uteri} - A61B 2090/062: {penetration depth} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A system for occluding uterine arteries comprises a compression element shaped for insertion into the vagina to a target position in which a distal rim thereof engages a desired portion of tissue surrounding a cervical opening, the rim extending around a predetermined portion of a perimeter of the cervical opening and an anchoring mechanism locking a position of the compression element relative to the desired portion of tissue in combination with an advancing mechanism moving the compression element relative to the anchoring mechanism to compress the desired portion of tissue against an adjacent portion of a uterine wall capturing uterine arteries therebetween and occluding blood flow therethrough. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for occluding uterine arteries, comprising: a compression element shaped for insertion into the vagina to a target position in which a distal rim thereof engages a desired portion of tissue surrounding a cervical opening, the rim extending around a predetermined portion of a perimeter of the cervical opening; an anchoring mechanism locking a position of the compression element relative to the desired portion of tissue; and an advancing mechanism moving the compression element relative to the anchoring mechanism to compress the desired portion of tissue against an adjacent portion of a uterine wall capturing uterine arteries therebetween and occluding blood flow therethrough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a stiffening element inserted into the cervical canal to enhance compression of the desired portion of tissue and the corresponding portion of the uterine wall thereagainst. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the rim extends around at least first and second radially opposed portions, each of the first and second portions subtending an angle of at least 120E. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the rim extends substantially around an entire perimeter of the cervical opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a deployment device coupled the anchoring mechanism and the compression element so that, after the anchoring mechanism and the compression element have been moved relative to one another to compress the desired portion of tissue against the adjacent portion of the uterine wall to occlude the uterine arteries, the deployment device may be detached therefrom and withdrawn from the body leaving the compression element and the anchoring mechanism in place. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the compression element comprises a cup having an open, substantially circular distal end forming the rim. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein the cup is substantially cylindrical. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein the cup is substantially conical. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the compression element comprises a deployment carrier and an elastic band deployable from the deployment carrier. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the compression element comprises a coil. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system according to claim 10, wherein the rim is formed at an open distal end of the coil. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The system according to claim 2, wherein the stiffening element comprises a shaft of the anchoring mechanism. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism comprises a forceps. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism comprises a shaft with external threads which, when in an operative position, engage an inner wall of the cervix. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism comprises a coil. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism comprises a vacuum lumen connectable to a source of negative pressure to draw tissue into the compression element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein the vacuum lumen includes a one way valve maintaining the negative pressure within the compression element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism comprises a shaft slidable through the compression element into the uterus, the shaft being deployable to engage tissue. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism comprises a flexible element expandable within the uterus to a diameter greater than that of a cervical opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system according to claim 19, wherein the flexible element comprises an inflatable balloon. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The system according to claim 19, wherein the flexible element expands radially when compressed axially. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism comprises a toggle which moves from a collapsed insertion configuration to a deployed anchoring position after insertion into the uterus. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the rim includes a protrusion which, when the compression element is in a desired position within the vagina, applies an increased amount of pressure to areas likely to abut the uterine arteries. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism includes a shaft extending through the compression element and the advancing mechanism comprises a first thread on the shaft and a mating second thread on the compression element so that rotation of the shaft relative to the compression element moves the shaft and the compression element proximally and distally relative to one another. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism includes forceps. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The system according to claim 25, wherein the advancing mechanism comprises a first thread formed on a shaft of the forceps and a mating second thread formed on the compression element. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, further comprising a handle and wherein the advancing mechanism includes a trigger linked to the compression element to advance the compression element as the trigger is depressed relative to the handle. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The system according to claim 27, further comprising a ratchet coupled to the trigger preventing proximal translation of the compression element relative to the handle. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 28, wherein the ratchet includes an angled plate. ### Claim 30 A uterine occlusion instrument, comprising: a shaft including a proximal end which, during use, remains outside the vagina accessible to a user; a compression element coupled to the shaft, the compression element including a distal rim shaped to engage a target portion of tissue surrounding the cervical opening; an anchoring mechanism anchoring the compression element in a desired position relative to the cervical opening; and an advancing mechanism moving the compression element distally relative to the anchoring mechanism to compress the target portion of tissue against an adjacent portion of a uterine wall occluding uterine arteries located therebetween. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the compression element is separable from the shaft while the anchoring mechanism maintains the compression element in place compressing the target portion of tissue. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the compression element is formed as a cup including an open distal end. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the advancing mechanism comprises a vacuum lumen extending into the compression element so that, negative pressure applied to a proximal end of the vacuum lumen is communicated to an interior of the compression element to draw a portion of tissue surrounding the cervical opening proximally thereinto. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the anchoring mechanism includes forceps extendable from the shaft to grasp a portion of tissue surrounding the cervical opening. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 34, wherein the forceps is biased toward a closed position. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the anchoring mechanism includes a thread formed on a distal end of the shaft for anchoring into tissue of a cervical canal. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the anchoring mechanism includes an anchoring shaft extending through a cervical canal into the uterus and an anchor extending laterally from a distal end of the anchoring shaft. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 37, wherein the anchor comprises first and second anchoring shafts deployable from the anchoring shaft to form a substantially Y-shaped anchor. ### Claim 39 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the anchor includes an inflatable member coupled to a source of inflation fluid. ### Claim 40 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the compression element is formed as a coil. ### Claim 41 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the advancing mechanism includes a first thread formed on the shaft and a second mating thread formed on the compression element so that rotation of the shaft relative to the compression element in a first direction moves the compression element distally relative to the shaft. ### Claim 42 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the advancing mechanism includes a linear advancing mechanism translating the compression element proximally and distally relative to the anchoring mechanism. ### Claim 43 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, further comprising a stiffening element inserted into the cervical opening to increase a stiffness of a cervix against which the target portion of tissue and the adjacent portion of uterine wall are compressed. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 43, wherein the stiffening element comprises a plug insertable into the cervical opening. ### Claim 45 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the rim extends around substantially all of a perimeter of the cervical opening. ### Claim 46 (depends on 30) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 30, wherein the rim includes two wings on opposite sides of an axis of the shaft. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The uterine occlusion instrument according to claim 46, wherein each of the wings subtends a range of at least 120E. ### Claim 48 A method of occluding uterine arteries, comprising: coupling an anchoring mechanism to tissue adjacent to a cervical opening; inserting into the vagina a compression element coupled to the anchoring mechanism so that a distal rim thereof engages a target portion of a vaginal formix; and advancing the compression element distally relative to the anchoring mechanism to compress the target portion of tissue against an adjacent portion of uterine wall occluding uterine arteries compressed therebetween. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The method according to claim 48, wherein the rim extends around substantially all of a perimeter of a cervical opening.