IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,840,626
Granted Patent B2
US 8,840,626 · App. 11/852,200 · Granted Sep 23, 2014

Systems for performing gynecological procedures with simultaneous tissue cutting and removal

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,840,626
App. No.
11/852,200
Granted
Sep 23, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. The system is configured to permit simultaneous tissue cutting and removal from a target site. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic.

Claims (20)

1. An intrauterine access and procedure system, comprising:

an elongate, tubular sheath having a proximal end, an open distal end, and at least one lumen extending therethrough, the sheath adapted for transcervical access to the uterus, an outer diameter of a distal operative portion of the tubular sheath being less than about 7 mm and greater than about 2 mm;

a visualization element adapted to extend through the sheath for visualizing a site within the uterus;

a tissue removal device having a distal portion sized and adapted to extend through the sheath lumen and out the open distal end of the sheath, the tissue removal device comprising an internal tissue egress lumen and a window, and a tissue cutting mechanism configured for cutting tissue received in the window, wherein tissue removed from the site by the cutting mechanism is removed through the egress lumen when the lumen is placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source; and

at least one fluid port for permitting introduction of fluid through the sheath and into the uterus;

wherein the system is configured to permit simultaneous tissue cutting and tissue removal.

2. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the sheath is laterally deflectable.

3. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 2 , further comprising a pull wire for deflecting the distal end of the sheath.

4. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , wherein the visualization element comprises a lens.

5. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , wherein the visualization element comprises an ultrasound transducer.

6. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , wherein the sheath comprises at least one radiopaque marker.

7. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , wherein the tissue cutting mechanism comprises an oscillating cutter.

8. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , wherein the tissue cutting mechanism comprises a rotating cutter.

9. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , wherein the tissue removal device comprises a tissue morcellator.

10. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , further comprising an inflatable balloon carried by the sheath.

11. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , further comprising a tissue penetrating assembly.

12. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , further comprising a stabilization device.

13. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , further comprising a drug delivery assembly.

14. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , further comprising a distension element.

15. The intrauterine access and procedure system as in claim 1 , further comprising a volume occupying device.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2026
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC., ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; CYTYC CORPORATION, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LLC, AS SUCCESSOR-BY-CONVERSION TO CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 075566/0039 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2026
From: BIOTHERANOSTICS, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; CYTYC CORPORATION; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; GYNESONICS, INC.; BOLDER SURGICAL, LLC; FAXITRON BIOPTICS, LLC; HEALTH BEACONS, INC.; HOLOGIC, INC.
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075462/0440 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 035820 FRAME: 0239. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 044727/0529 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 028810 FRAME: 0745. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 044432/0565 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2015
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036307/0199 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 028810/0745 Recorded Jun 4, 2015
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 035820/0239 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2012
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 028810/0745 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2011
From: INTERLACE MEDICAL, INC.
To: HOLOGIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 025835/0684 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 8, 2007
From: ADAMS, RONALD D.; GRUBER, WILLIAM H.; CONNORS, KEVIN G.; PARDO, GEOFFREY B.; COLE, JAMES DANIEL; FLAHERTY, J. CHRISTOPHER
To: INTERLACE MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 020097/0916 →