Endometrial ablation method
US8540708B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1475
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods for endometrial ablation. The systems include a handle and elongated introducer sleeve extending to an expandable working end having a fluid-tight interior chamber. A thin dielectric wall surrounds at least a portion of the interior chamber and has an external surface for contacting endometrial tissue. The thin dielectric wall surrounds a collapsible-expandable frame and receives an electrically non-conductive gas. First and second polarity electrodes are exposed to the interior and exterior of the chamber, respectively. A radiofrequency power source operatively connects to the electrode arrangement to apply a radiofrequency voltage across the first and second electrodes, wherein the voltage is sufficient to initiate ionization of the neutral gas into a conductive plasma within the interior chamber, and to capacitively couple the current in the plasma across the thin dielectric wall to ablate endometrial tissue engaged by the external surface of the dielectric structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.