IP Library Granted Patent US 9,421,059
Granted Patent B2
US 9,421,059 · App. 13/094,715 · Granted Aug 23, 2016

Device for endometrial ablation having an expandable seal for a cervical canal

Inventors: Daniel C. Truckai (Saratoga, CA); Csaba Truckai (Saratoga, CA)
Assignee: Minerva Surgical, Inc.
A61B18/042A61B18/1485A61B2018/0022A61B2018/00166A61B2018/00285A61B2018/00559A61B2018/00577A61B2018/00642A61B2018/00702A61B2018/00791A61B2018/00827A61B2018/00863A61B2018/00875A61B2018/00892
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,421,059
App. No.
13/094,715
Granted
Aug 23, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, systems and devices for endometrial ablation. In accordance with a method, a working end of an RF ablation device is positioned in a patient uterus to contact endometrial tissue, the working end comprising a dielectric wall capable of non-expanded and expanded shapes and for conforming to an asymmetric or symmetric shape of the patient's cervix. An expandable seal is provided for sealing the cervical canal.

Claims (9)

1. A system for treating uterine tissue, comprising:

an introducer member having first and second concentric sleeves and being configured for trans-cervical insertion to access a uterine cavity of a patient, said introducer member having a central lumen;

a deformable thin-wall seal carried by the introducer, wherein proximal and distal ends of the seal are fixedly attached to the first and second concentric sleeves, respectively, so that relative axial movement of the sleeves causes the seal to transition between a first transversely expanded shape having a first transverse dimension for engaging a cervical canal and a second transversely non-expanded shape for trans-cervical insertion, wherein the seal may be stretched tight against the introducer member by distally extending the second concentric sleeve relative to the first concentric sleeve; and

a fluid source in communication with an interior region of the seal for transverse expansion of the seal, wherein the interior region of the seal may be inflated to an expanded transverse dimension greater than the first transverse dimension which resulted from movement of the sleeves.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises an elastomeric material.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises a thin wall silicone.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the seal is formed with helical ridge and valley regions for folding and unfolding upon said axial deformation.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the introducer member comprises a first lumen to provide a continuous flow of gas or liquid through an interior chamber of the deformable thin-wall seal and a second lumen to provide a restricted outflow of fluid from the interior chamber to expand the seal and provide a fluid flow for cooling the seal.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising a restrictor valve in the second lumen.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2026
From: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
To: AXORA MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 075561/0186 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2026
From: CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE
To: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 074721/0585 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2026
From: AXORA MEDICAL, INC.
To: SYMBIOTIC CAPITAL AGENCY LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 074537/0617 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 057770/0451 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2021
From: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
To: CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE
Reel/Frame 057758/0137 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2019
From: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051395/0275 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2011
From: TRUCKAI, DANIEL C.; TRUCKAI, CSABA
To: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 026659/0546 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61328533 · Apr 27, 2010
Related Publication 20120101332A1 · Apr 26, 2012