Intrauterine cryoablation cauterizing apparatus and method
OwnerRobert S. Neuwirth, Lee R. Bolducinventors
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for effecting necrosis of a tissue lining of a mammalian body cavity, particularly a uterine endometrium, by introducing an applicator comprising a distendable bladder connected to a catheter into the uterus, distending the bladder by introducing a non-toxic fluid under pressure, cooling the fluid by means located internal to the bladder to a temperature below 32.degree. F. for a period of about 4 to about 12 minutes and preferably about 6 minutes, thereby cauterizing substantially the entirety of the tissue lining, particularly the endometrium.
Claims23
An apparatus for effecting necrosis of an uterine endometrium comprising:
- an applicator comprising a catheter for insertion into the uterus, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, and a distendable bladder attached to said distal end;
- inflating means connected to said proximal end for distending said distendable bladder;
- cooling means disposed within said distal end of said catheter and connected to said proximal end for cooling a non-circulating fluid within said distendable bladder;
- and
- control means communicating with said inflating means and said cooling means for regulating the distending and cooling of said non-circulating fluid within said distendable bladder.
The apparatus in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a heating element disposed at the distal end of said catheter.
A method for effecting cauterization necrosis of the tissue lining of a mammalian body cavity comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting a distendable bladder into the body cavity;
- (b) inflating said distendable bladder to a predetermined pressure with a non-circulating non-toxic fluid so that said distendable bladder is in contact with substantially all of the tissue lining for which necrosis is desired;
- (c) cooling said non-toxic fluid to a cryogenic temperature;
- (d) controlling the temperature and pressure of said fluid by control means connected to said distendable bladder;
- and
- (e) maintaining said bladder so inflated with said fluid at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to effect cauterization necrosis of substantially all of the tissue lining of the body cavity for which necrosis is desired.
A method for effecting cauterization necrosis of an uterine endometrium comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting a distendable bladder into the uterus;
- (b) inflating said distendable bladder to a predetermined pressure with a non-circulating non-toxic fluid so that said distendable bladder is in contact with substantially all of the endometrium;
- (c) cooling said non-toxic fluid to a cryogenic temperature;
- (d) regulating the temperature and pressure of said fluid by control means connected to said distendable bladder;
- and
- (e) maintaining said bladder so inflated with said fluid at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to effect cauterization necrosis of substantially all of the uterine endometrium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.