Patent US4949718A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4949718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intrauterine cauterizing apparatus
Assignee: GYNELAB PRODUCTS A CORP OF
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Filing: 1988-09-09
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Granted: 1990-08-21
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Expires: 2008-09-09
Abstract
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, heating the fluid by means located internal to the bladder to a temperature of 190 DEG to 215 DEG F. and preferably 210 DEG F. for a period of 4 to 12 minutes and preferably 6 minutes and regulating said apparatus by means located external to the uterus, thereby cauterizing substantially the entirety of the tissue lining, particularly the endometrium.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Neuwirth
- 👤 Lee R. Bolduc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/08; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/12; A61F7/123; A61B17/00; A61B17/42; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00132; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00539; A61B2017/4216; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00547; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/044; A61B2018/046; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/062; A61B2090/064; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3937; A61F2007/0054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for effecting necrosis of an uterine endometrium comprising: a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; a distendable bladder means attached to said proximal end for insertion into and distending the uterus; inflating means connected to said distal end for introducing an inflation medium into said bladder; heating means for heating said inflation medium to a temperature sufficient to effect tissue necrosis positioned internal to said bladder; and control means connected to said distal end for regulating the inflating and heating of said bladder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for effecting necrosis of an uterine endometrium comprising: a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; a distendable bladder means attached to said proximal end for insertion into and distending the uterus; inflating means connected to said distal end for introducing an inflation medium into said bladder; heating means for heating said inflation medium to a temperature sufficient to effect tissue necrosis positioned internal to said bladder; and control means connected to said distal end for regulating the inflating and heating of said bladder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said catheter is comprised of rigid tubing at the proximal end of said bladder, and flexible tubing extending through said rigid tubing from said control means to said bladder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said inflating means comprises a pump means connected to said flexible tubing for pumping said inflation medium through said flexible tubing so as to inflate said bladder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said pumping means comprises a hypodermic barrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said hypodermic barrel is connected to said flexible tubing by a three-way valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said fluid is non-circulating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rigid tubing is selected from the group comprising Teflon type tubing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said flexible tubing is selected from the group comprising Teflon type tubing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a positioning means for positioning said distendable bladder in the uterus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said positioning means comprises scale gradations on said catheter for indicating depth of insertion of said distendable bladder into the uterus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for disengaging said catheter from said control means so that the applicator and the control means may be separated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said distendable bladder is capable of resisting an internal pressure of at least 300 mmHg without rupturing and a temperature of at least 250° Fahrenheit without carbonizing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said bladder is selected from the group comprising latex rubber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises: volume control means; temperature control means pressure control means; and time control means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said temperature control means comprises a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of said inflation medium fixed to the proximal end of said catheter and positioned internal to said bladder; said thermocouple connected to said control means via a second electrical lead.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said pressure control means comprises; a pressure sensor connected to said flexible tubing; said pressure sensor connected to a pressure display means for displaying and regulating the pressure of said inflating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said time control means comprises a clock.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said clock is programmable and connected to said temperature control means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for effecting necrosis of a tissue lining in a body cavity comprising: a catheter comprising a length of flexible tubing having a distal end and a proximal end; a bladder means for insertion into and distending the body cavity attached to a proximal end; inflating means connected to said distal end for introducing an inflation medium through said flexible tubing and into said bladder; a heating means for heating said inflation medium to a temperature sufficient to effect tissue necrosis positioned internal to said bladder; and control means connected to said distal end for regulating inflation and heating of said bladder.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for effecting necrosis of a tissue lining in a body cavity comprising: a catheter comprising a length of flexible tubing having a distal end and a proximal end; a bladder means for insertion into and distending the body cavity attached to a proximal end; inflating means connected to said distal end for introducing an inflation medium through said flexible tubing and into said bladder; a heating means for heating said inflation medium to a temperature sufficient to effect tissue necrosis positioned internal to said bladder; and control means connected to said distal end for regulating inflation and heating of said bladder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of said inflation medium positioned internal to said bladder and connected to said control means via an electrical lead.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-20 | 1994-02-19 | 1994-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-20 | 1998-02-19 | 1998-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-20 | 2002-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |