Method and device for distending a gynecological cavity

A system for performing a transcervical surgical procedure in a uterus, comprising:

• a deployment tool;
• an expandable support structure detachably attached to the deployment tool, the expandable support structure configured to be transcervically introduced and positioned within a uterus using the deployment tool, and thereafter expanded within the uterus and detached from the deployment tool, wherein the deployment tool is configured to be removed from the uterus after detachment of the expanded support structure therein, and
• wherein the expanded support structure comprises a three-dimensional configuration including an upper portion and a lower portion spaced apart from the upper portion, the support structure being configured so that expanding the support structure delivers an expansion force against opposing walls of the uterus to thereby create a three-dimensional working space between the upper and lower portions of the expanded support structure through non-fluid mechanical distention of the uterus;
• and
• a surgical instrument configured to be transcervically inserted into the uterus after insertion and expansion of the support structure, so that a distal end of the surgical instrument may be positioned within the three-dimensional working space created by the expanded support structure and the surgical instrument is further configured to remove uterine wall tissue while the expanded support structure distends the uterus through non-fluid mechanical distention.

A system for performing a transcervical surgical procedure in a uterus, comprising:

• a deployment tool;
• an expandable support structure detachably attached to the deployment tool, the expandable support structure configured to be transcervically introduced and positioned within a uterus using the deployment tool, and thereafter expanded within the uterus and detached from the deployment tool, wherein the deployment tool is configured to be removed from the uterus after detachment of the expanded support structure therein, and
• wherein the expanded support structure comprises a three-dimensional array of filaments, with adjacent filaments of the array defining windows there between, the array of filaments being configured so that expanding the support structure delivers an expansion force against opposing walls of the uterus, the expanded filament array defining a three-dimensional volume comprising a three-dimensional working space within the uterus through non-fluid mechanical distention of the uterus;
• and
• a surgical instrument configured to be transcervically inserted into the uterus after insertion and expansion of the support structure, so that a distal end of the surgical instrument may be positioned within the three-dimensional working space created by the expanded support structure and to remove uterine wall tissue through one or more windows defined by adjacent filaments of the expanded support structure while the support structure distends the uterus through non-fluid mechanical distention.