# US 2025/0143669 A1 · Ablation device with articulated imaging transducer

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2025/0143669 A1
- Document ID: US20250143669A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/742,969
- Filed: 2024-06-13
- Published: 2025-05-08
- Earliest claimed: 2006-04-20
- Assignees: Gynesonics, Inc.
- Applicants: Gynesonics, Inc.
- Inventors: Robert K. DECKMAN; Brian PLACEK; Michael A. MUNROW; Craig GERBI; Jessica GROSSMAN
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250143669A1

## CPC

- A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
- A61B 8/0841: {for locating instruments}
- A61B 8/445: {Details of catheter construction}
- A61B 8/4461: {Features of the scanning mechanism, e.g. for moving the transducer within the housing of the probe}
- A61B 18/1485: {having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings}
- A61B 2017/3413: {guided by ultrasound}
- A61B 2018/0016: {Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array}
- A61B 2018/00559: {Female reproductive organs}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/1425: {Needle}
- A61B 2018/143: {multiple needles}
- A61B 2018/1432: {curved}
- A61B 2018/1475: {Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing}
- A61B 2090/3782: {transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument}
- A61B 2090/3784: {both receiver and transmitter being in the instrument or receiver being also transmitter}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A system for imaging and treating tissue comprises a probe having a deflectable distal tip for carrying an imaging array and a delivery needle for advancement within a field of view of the imaging array. Optionally, the needle will carry a plurality of tines which may be selectively radially deployed from the needle. The imaging array will preferably be provided in a separate, removable component.

## Claims

### Claim 1

(canceled)

### Claim 2

A method of treating a uterine fibroid, the method comprising:
introducing into a uterus, a rigid shaft comprising a tip attached to a distal end of the shaft, the tip including an imager;
deflecting the tip to reposition a field of view of the imager;
locating the uterine fibroid using the imager;
advancing only a single needle into the uterine fibroid;
advancing a plurality of tines from the needle into the uterine fibroid;
observing the needle, the plurality of tines, and the uterine fibroid using the imager; and
adjusting the field of view of the imager with the single needle and the plurality of tines having been advanced into the uterine fibroid by rotating and/or torquing the rigid shaft or distal tip relative to the needle and tines that have been advanced into the uterine fibroid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein introducing the rigid shaft comprises transcervically introducing the rigid shaft into the uterus.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein advancing the needle into the uterine fibroid comprises transcervically inserting the needle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein locating the uterine fibroid comprises manually rotating and/or torquing the rigid shaft to scan the uterus with the imager.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising delivering energy to the uterine fibroid through the plurality of tines.

### Claim 7

A method of treating a uterine fibroid, the method comprising:
introducing into a uterus, a rigid shaft comprising a tip attached to a distal end of the shaft, the tip including an imager;
repositioning a field of view of the imager by (i) deflecting the tip in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the rigid shaft, (ii) rotating and/or torquing the rigid shaft about the longitudinal axis of the rigid shaft, or (iii) both (i) and (ii);
locating the uterine fibroid using the imager;
advancing a needle into the uterine fibroid;
advancing a plurality of tines from the needle into the uterine fibroid;
observing the needle and the uterine fibroid using the imager; and
adjusting the field of view of the imager by rotating and/or torquing the rigid shaft or distal tip relative to the needle and tines that have been advanced into the uterine fibroid,
wherein the field of view of the imager is adjusted (a) as the single needle and the uterine fibroid are observed, (b) with the single needle and the plurality of tines having been advanced into the uterine fibroid, or (c) both (a) and (b).

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein introducing the rigid shaft comprises transcervically introducing the rigid shaft into the uterus.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein advancing the needle into the uterine fibroid comprises transcervically inserting the needle.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein advancing the needle into the uterine fibroid comprises inserting the needle from a needle guide.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the imager comprises an ultrasound transducer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein repositioning the field of view comprises manually rotating and/or torquing the rigid shaft to scan the uterus with the imager.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein observing the needle and the fibroid comprises observing the plurality of tines.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising delivering energy to the uterine fibroid through the needle.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the energy is radiofrequency energy.

### Claim 16 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein advancing the needle comprises advancing a button on a handle.

### Claim 17 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the needle comprises a curved needle.

### Claim 18 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising inserting the imager through a sheath prior to locating the uterine fibroid using the imager.