Apparatus and method for delivering and deploying an expandable body member in a uterine cavity
US6395012B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2210/1433
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method delivers an expandable body member into a uterine cavity of a uterus through a cervical opening and deploys the expandable body member in the uterine cavity. The expandable body member in a compressed state is inserted into the uterine cavity. A fluid is provided to the uterine cavity at a pressure sufficient to inflate the uterine cavity. The expandable body member expands from the compressed state to the expanded state. After expansion of the expandable body member and inflation of the uterine cavity, the fluid pressure is relieved thereby collapsing the uterine cavity about the expandable body member in the expanded state such that an endometrial layer of the uterus and a surface of the expandable body member substantially contact each other in a facially opposing relationship maximizing contact therebetween. The apparatus which performs the method includes an elongated tubular member having the expandable body member connected to a distal portion of the elongated tubular member and a fluid-providing device connected to a proximal portion of the elongated tubular member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.