Devices, systems, and methods for transvaginal, ultrasound guided hysteroscopic surgical procedures

Inventors: Chad A. Pickering (Woburn, MA); Arvind Rajagopalan Mohan (Dracut, MA); Scott J. Prior (Branford, CT); Kolby A. Faria (Lowell, MA)

Assignee: Covidien LP

A61B8/12 A61B8/4209 A61B8/4466

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12690839
App. No.: 18/499,156
Granted: Jul 28, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A transvaginal ultrasound device includes a collar, a body, and an ultrasound sensor assembly. The collar defines a longitudinal lumen configured to receive a shaft for slidably positioning the collar about the shaft. The body depends from the collar and protrudes distally relative to the collar. The ultrasound sensor assembly is disposed within the body and configured for ultrasound imaging. The collar and the body are configured for full insertion through a vaginal introitus and into a vaginal canal of a human patient for positioning the longitudinal lumen of the collar in substantial alignment with a cervix of the human patient to enable the shaft to extend through the cervix and into a uterus of the human patient.

Claims (31)

1 . A transvaginal ultrasound device, comprising:

a collar defining a longitudinal lumen configured to receive a shaft for slidably positioning the collar about the shaft;

a body depending from the collar and protruding distally relative to the collar;

an ultrasound sensor assembly disposed within the body, the ultrasound sensor assembly configured for ultrasound imaging, wherein the collar and the body are configured for full insertion through a vaginal introitus and into a vaginal canal of a human patient for positioning the longitudinal lumen of the collar in substantial alignment with a cervix of the human patient to enable the shaft to extend through the cervix and into a uterus of the human patient; and

a drive assembly disposed within at least one of the collar or the body, the drive assembly configured to receive an actuation input and to drive movement of the body relative to the collar in response to receipt of the actuation input.

2 . The transvaginal ultrasound device according to claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the collar about the shaft to at least one of slidably or rotationally fix the collar relative to the shaft.

3 . The transvaginal ultrasound device according to claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking drive assembly configured to transition the locking mechanism between a locked condition and an unlocked condition.

4 . The transvaginal ultrasound device according to claim 1 , wherein the movement of the body relative to the collar is rotational movement.

5 . The transvaginal ultrasound device according to claim 1 , wherein the movement of the body relative to the collar is slidable movement.

6 . The transvaginal ultrasound device according to claim 1 , wherein the movement of the body relative to the collar is pivotable movement.

7 . A hysteroscopic surgical system, comprising:

a hysteroscope including a handle and a shaft extending distally from the handle; and

an ultrasound device, including:

a collar defining a longitudinal lumen configured to receive the shaft for slidably positioning the collar about the shaft;

a body depending from the collar and protruding distally relative to the collar;

an ultrasound sensor assembly disposed within the body, the ultrasound sensor assembly configured for ultrasound imaging, wherein the collar and the body are configured for positioning within a vaginal canal of a human patient for positioning the longitudinal lumen of the collar in substantial alignment with a cervix of the human patient to enable the shaft to extend through the cervix and into a uterus of the human patient; and

8 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 7 , wherein the shaft of the hysteroscope includes a first portion defining a first diameter and a second portion defining a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and wherein the longitudinal lumen of the collar defines a third diameter greater than the first diameter but less than the second diameter to enable slidable positioning the collar about the first portion of the shaft and inhibit sliding of the collar onto the second portion of the shaft.

9 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 7 , further comprising:

a spacer configured for positioning about the shaft of the hysteroscope proximally of the collar, the spacer configured to define an extent of distal insertion of the shaft of the hysteroscope through the collar.

10 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 9 , wherein the spacer is configured for positioning about the shaft of the hysteroscope between the collar and a transition defined along the shaft.

11 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 7 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the collar about the shaft to at least one of slidably or rotationally fix the collar relative to the shaft.

12 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking drive assembly configured to transition the locking mechanism between a locked condition and an unlocked condition.

13 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 7 , wherein the movement of the body relative to the collar is rotational movement.

14 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 7 , wherein the movement of the body relative to the collar is slidable movement.

15 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 7 , wherein the movement of the body relative to the collar is pivotable movement.

16 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 7 , wherein the drive assembly includes a motor configured to drive movement of the body relative to the collar in response to receipt of the actuation input.

17 . The hysteroscopic surgical system according to claim 7 , wherein the actuation input is an electrical signal from a remote controller.

18 . The transvaginal ultrasound device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly includes a motor configured to drive movement of the body relative to the collar in response to receipt of the actuation input.

19 . The transvaginal ultrasound device according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation input is an electrical signal from a remote controller.

20 . The transvaginal ultrasound device according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation input is a mechanical drive input from a remote mechanical actuator.