US5277201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endometrial ablation apparatus and method
Assignee: Covidien AG
•
Filing: 1992-05-01
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Granted: 1994-01-11
•
Expires: 2012-05-01
Abstract
Abstract An endometrial ablation method comprising passing sufficient RF current having a frequency of from 250 kHz to about 100 MHz through substantially the entire surface of the endometrium to heat the endometrium, in a single operation, to a temperature within the range of from 45° C. to 90° C. and preferably not above 70° C. for a time sufficient to destroy the cells of the lining while maintaining the average temperature of the myometrium at a temperature below about 42° C. The apparatus comprises a electroconductive expandable member such as a balloon for extending the organ and effecting electrical contact with the endometrial lining to be destroyed. The balloon is connected to a power source adapted to provide radiofrequency electric power having the desired characteristics to selectively heat the endometrial lining to the desired temperature. The balloon can be an electroconductive elastomer such as a mixture of a polymeric elastomer and electroconductive particles. Alternatively, it can be a non-extensible bladder having a shape and size, in its fully expanded form, which will extend the organ and effecting contact with the endometrial lining to be destroyed. One surface of the non-extensible bladder can be coated with electroconductive material. The coating can be applied to the inner surface of the non-extensible bladder if the bladder wall thickness is less than about 25 mm.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger A. Stern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1485; A61N1/40; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00092; A61B2017/00101; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4216; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00113; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00654; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00815; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/1465; A61B2018/1467; A61B18/16; A61B2018/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An ablation method for treating an endometrium surrounded by a myometrium and having an inner surface comprising passing sufficient RF current, having a frequency of at least about 250 kHz, from an expandable member conforming to the inner surface of the endometrium and filled with an electrically non-conductive medium, through the inner surface of the endometrium to resistively heat substantially, the entire endometrium, in a single procedure, to a temperature within the range of from 45° C. to 90° C. for a time sufficient to destroy the cells of the endometrium while maintaining the average temperature of the myometrium at a temperature below about 42° C.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An ablation method for treating an endometrium surrounded by a myometrium and having an inner surface comprising passing sufficient RF current, having a frequency of at least about 250 kHz, from an expandable member conforming to the inner surface of the endometrium and filled with an electrically non-conductive medium, through the inner surface of the endometrium to resistively heat substantially, the entire endometrium, in a single procedure, to a temperature within the range of from 45° C. to 90° C. for a time sufficient to destroy the cells of the endometrium while maintaining the average temperature of the myometrium at a temperature below about 42° C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endometrial ablation method of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the surface of the endometrium being heated is monitored and RF current through the endometrium is reduced in the event a selected temperature threshold is exceeded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus for selectively destroying the endometrial lining of an organ in a body having an outer surface comprising an electroconductive, expandable electrode means for extending the organ and effecting electrical contact with the endometrial lining to be destroyed and an external electrode means adapted to contact the outer surface of the body; the expandable electrode means containing an electrically non-conductive expansion medium; and a power source connected to the expandable electrode means and to the external electrode means, the power source being adapted to provide radio-frequency electric power to the expandable electrode means at a frequency of at least about 250 kHz in an amount which, when current is passed from the expandable electrode means through the endometrial lining, will selectively heat the endometrial lining to a temperature within the range of from about 45° C. to 90° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus for selectively destroying the endometrial lining of an organ in a body having an outer surface comprising an electroconductive, expandable electrode means for extending the organ and effecting electrical contact with the endometrial lining to be destroyed and an external electrode means adapted to contact the outer surface of the body; the expandable electrode means containing an electrically non-conductive expansion medium; and a power source connected to the expandable electrode means and to the external electrode means, the power source being adapted to provide radio-frequency electric power to the expandable electrode means at a frequency of at least about 250 kHz in an amount which, when current is passed from the expandable electrode means through the endometrial lining, will selectively heat the endometrial lining to a temperature within the range of from about 45° C. to 90° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 3 wherein the frequency is within the range of from about 250 kHz to about 100 MHz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 3 wherein the expandable electrode means is an electroconductive balloon adapted to be connected to an expansion fluid inlet means, the balloon being filled with an gas or an electrically non-conductive liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 5 wherein the balloon comprises an electroconductive, elastomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 6 wherein the elastomer is a mixture of a polymeric elastomer and electroconductive particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 3 wherein the expandable electrode means is a non-extensible bladder having a shape and size, in its fully expanded form, which will extend the organ and effecting contact with the endometrial lining to be destroyed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 8 wherein at least one surface of the non-extensible bladder is coated with electroconductive material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 9 wherein the non-extensible bladder has an inner surface which is coated with electroconductive material and the bladder wall thickness is less than about 0.25 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 3 wherein the expandable electrode means has an outer surface which is coated with electroconductive material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 11 wherein the expandable electrode means is an expandable balloon coated with an electroconductive metal coating.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 11 wherein the outer surface of the expandable electrode means is coated or impregnated with an electroconductive liquid, paste or gel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 3 wherein the expandable electrode means has a surface to which at least one temperature sensor is connected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
An endometrial ablation apparatus of claim 14 including a control means connected to the power source and to the expandable electrode means, the control means being a means for reducing the power output from the power source to the expandable electrode means, wherein the temperature sensor is connected to the control means.
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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) | 1997-01-10 | 1997-07-12 | 1998-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-10 | 2001-07-12 | 2002-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-07-12 | 2006-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |