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EP0812573A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Endometrial ablation apparatus and method

Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-06-11
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Abstract

Abstract A method of performing endometrial ablation comprising heating entire surface of the endometrium to a temperature of between 45° C and 70° C to destroy the cells of the endometrial lining while maintaining the average temperature of the myometrium at a temperature below approximately 42° C. An apparatus for performing an endometrial ablation comprising an expandable membrane such as a balloon adapted to fit within the uterus and contact the endometrial lining when expanded. A web of light diffusing fiber-optic cables arranged on the outer surface the balloon such that the web contacts the endometrial lining of the uterus when the balloon is expanded. The fiber-optic web is connected to an array of high intensity lamps via a series of fiber-optic cables. The temperature of the endometrium is monitored by a of a series of temperature sensors arranged upon the surface of the balloon.

Inventors

  • 👤 Steven H. Mersch

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 17:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B17/00; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4216; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 40 words
An apparatus for heating the inner lining of an organ, said apparatus comprising: an expandable element; an optically conductive material on said expandable element; and a light source connected to said optically conductive material by one or more optical conductors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said optically conductive material comprises a web of optical fibers and said light source comprises one or more lamps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein said expandable element has an interior surface and an exterior surface and said interior of said expandable element is optically reflective.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 48 words
An apparatus for heating the interior of an organ, said apparatus comprising: an expandable element; an optically conductive material on said expandable element; a light source connected to said optically conductive material by one or more optical conductors; and one or more temperature sensors on said expandable element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 34 words
An apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein: said optically conductive material comprises a web of optical fibers; said light source comprises one or more lamps; and said one or more temperature sensors comprise thermocouples.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 37 words
An apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said expandable element has an interior surface and an exterior surface and said expandable element has an interior surface and an exterior surface and said exterior surface is optically reflective.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said expandable element includes a web of optical fibers surrounding a balloon.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 56 words
A method of destroying the interior lining of a internal organ, said method comprising the steps of: positioning an optical fiber web adjacent said interior lining; transmitting optical energy to said optical fiber web to heat said interior lining; measuring the temperature of said interior lining; and adjusting said optical energy according to said measured temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said optical fiber web is affixed on a balloon element and said step of positioning said optical fiber web comprises inflating said balloon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 28 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said step of measuring temperature comprises measuring the temperature of the interior lining by monitoring thermocouple elements located on said balloon.

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