Patent US6164280A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6164280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Applying high energy light and heat for gynecological sterilization procedures
Assignee: MyriadLase Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-03
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Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2017-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A localized heat applying medical device is provided for applying heat to tissue adjacent a patient's tubal ostia in order to close the patient's fallopian tubes and sterilize the patient. Procedures of performing sterilizations are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Royice B. Everett
- 👤 Johnny M. Bruce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00057; A61B2017/00066; A61B2017/0007; A61B2017/00084; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4233
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of sterilizing a female patient, said method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting into the patient's uterus an elongated light transmitting conduit having a distal end with an integrally formed enlarged portion thereon; (b) contacting said distal end of said conduit with tissue adjacent to a fallopian tube of the patient such that at least a forward portion of said enlarged portion is received within a corresponding tubal ostia and centered about said tubal ostia; and (c) transmitting light energy through said conduit such that a substantial part of an interstitial portion of the fallopian tube is coagulated so that the fallopian tube is closed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of sterilizing a female patient, said method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting into the patient's uterus an elongated light transmitting conduit having a distal end with an integrally formed enlarged portion thereon; (b) contacting said distal end of said conduit with tissue adjacent to a fallopian tube of the patient such that at least a forward portion of said enlarged portion is received within a corresponding tubal ostia and centered about said tubal ostia; and (c) transmitting light energy through said conduit such that a substantial part of an interstitial portion of the fallopian tube is coagulated so that the fallopian tube is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for the other of the patient's fallopian tubes, so that both fallopian tubes are closed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: step (a) is further characterized by said distal end having a light transmitting aperture thereon; and at least a portion of said light energy is transmitted through said light transmitting aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said portion of said light energy is a majority portion of the light energy transmitted through said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein another portion of said light energy is transmitted through said enlarged portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: step (a) is further characterized in that said distal end has an elongated portion extending outwardly from said enlarged portion; and step (b) includes a step of inserting at least said elongated portion into the patient's fallopian tube.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of sterilizing a female patient, said method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting into the patient's uterus an elongated light energy transmitting conduit having an enlarged portion on a distal end thereof, said distal end having a light transmitting aperture extending through a forward portion thereof; (b) positioning said forward portion of said device adjacent one of the patient's tubal ostia so that the device is centered about said one tubal ostia and held in fixed contact with the patient's uterus; (c) transmitting light energy through conduit to said device, passing a first portion of said energy through said aperture into the patient's fallopian tube associated with said one tubal ostia, and passing a second portion of said energy through said enlarged portion, said first and second portions of said light energy being sufficient in combination to cause said fallopian tube to be closed due to alteration of the tissue thereto.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of sterilizing a female patient, said method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting into the patient's uterus an elongated light energy transmitting conduit having an enlarged portion on a distal end thereof, said distal end having a light transmitting aperture extending through a forward portion thereof; (b) positioning said forward portion of said device adjacent one of the patient's tubal ostia so that the device is centered about said one tubal ostia and held in fixed contact with the patient's uterus; (c) transmitting light energy through conduit to said device, passing a first portion of said energy through said aperture into the patient's fallopian tube associated with said one tubal ostia, and passing a second portion of said energy through said enlarged portion, said first and second portions of said light energy being sufficient in combination to cause said fallopian tube to be closed due to alteration of the tissue thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising: (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for the patient's other tubal ostia and associated other fallopian tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 7 wherein: step (a) is further characterized by said distal end having an elongated portion extending from said enlarged portion and said light transmitting aperture being on an outwardly facing end of said elongated portion; and step (b) further comprises the step of inserting at least said elongated portion into the patients' fallopian tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 7 wherein steps (b) and (c) result in the heating of tissue making up the interstitial portion of the fallopian tube to a temperature above about 70° C. so the protein in the tissue is coagulated and less than about 100° C. so that vaporization of the tissue is prevented.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of sterilizing a female patient, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an elongated light transmitting conduit comprising an optical fiber, said optical fiber comprising: a proximal end adapted for connection to a light energy source; a distal end; an enlarged portion integrally formed on said distal end; and an elongated portion integrally formed on said distal end and extending distally from said enlarged portion, said elongated portion having an aperture thereon; (b) inserting said light transmitting conduit into the patient's uterus; (c) contacting said distal end of said conduit with tissue adjacent to a fallopian tube of the patient such that said elongated portion extends at least partially into the fallopian tube and at least a forward portion of said enlarged portion is received within a corresponding tubal ostia and centered about said tubal ostia; and (d) transmitting light energy through said conduit with at least a portion of said light passing through said aperture, such that a substantial part of an interstitial portion of the fallopian tube is coagulated whereby the fallopian tube is closed.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of sterilizing a female patient, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an elongated light transmitting conduit comprising an optical fiber, said optical fiber comprising: a proximal end adapted for connection to a light energy source; a distal end; an enlarged portion integrally formed on said distal end; and an elongated portion integrally formed on said distal end and extending distally from said enlarged portion, said elongated portion having an aperture thereon; (b) inserting said light transmitting conduit into the patient's uterus; (c) contacting said distal end of said conduit with tissue adjacent to a fallopian tube of the patient such that said elongated portion extends at least partially into the fallopian tube and at least a forward portion of said enlarged portion is received within a corresponding tubal ostia and centered about said tubal ostia; and (d) transmitting light energy through said conduit with at least a portion of said light passing through said aperture, such that a substantial part of an interstitial portion of the fallopian tube is coagulated whereby the fallopian tube is closed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of: (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for the other of the patient's fallopian tubes, so that both fallopian tubes are closed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said portion of said light energy passing through said aperture is a majority portion of the light energy transmitted through said conduit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein another portion of said light energy is transmitted through said enlarged portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said elongated portion is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said aperture is a polished, outwardly facing end of said elongated portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 11 wherein steps (c) and (d) result in the heating of tissue making up the interstitial portion of the fallopian tube to a temperature above about 70° C. so that the protein in the tissue is coagulated and less than about 100° C. so the vaporization of the tissue is prevented.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5140984A
Cited
US5147353A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |