IP Library Granted Patent US 8,348,864
Granted Patent B2
US 8,348,864 · App. 13/220,501 · Granted Jan 8, 2013

Uterine cavity length measurement

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,348,864
App. No.
13/220,501
Granted
Jan 8, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A uterine cavity length measuring device includes a first elongate member including a lumen and a plurality of apertures extending between the lumen and an exterior surface of the first elongate member, and a second elongate member including a lumen, and at least one aperture located at a distal end extending from the lumen of the second elongate member to an exterior surface, where the second elongate member is positioned within and is configured to move within the lumen of the first elongate member and where the first elongate member and second elongate member provide a fluid path from a proximal end of the lumen in the second elongate member, through the lumen in the second elongate member to the at least one aperture located at the distal end of the second elongate member and to at least one of the plurality of apertures in the first elongate member.

Claims (25)

1. A method of using a uterine cavity length measuring device, comprising:

inserting an outer sheath of the uterine cavity length measuring device transcervically to a fundus of a uterine cavity, the uterine cavity length measuring device including an inner member extended within the outer sheath;

initiating a fluid flow through the uterine cavity length measuring device;

withdrawing the inner member relative to the outer sheath until fluid flow is reduced, wherein the fluid flow reduction indicates the inner member is positioned at an internal cervical os; and

measuring the uterine cavity length according to the position of the inner member.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

withdrawing the inner member relative to the outer sheath beyond the internal cervical os;

detecting a change in fluid flow indicating the inner member positioned at an external cervical os; and

measuring a sounding length based on the position of the inner member relative to the outer sheath.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating the fluid flow includes passing a fluid from a proximal end of the outer sheath, through a lumen of the outer sheath and through an output hole in the outer sheath.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising depressurizing the uterine cavity by allowing fluid to re-enter the uterine cavity measurement device though an exhaust hole in the outer sheath.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein withdrawing the inner member is continued if there is no change in the fluid flow.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the withdrawing step occurs after fluid flow into and out of the uterine cavity has substantially equalized.

7. A method of using an anatomy measuring device, comprising:

inserting an outer sheath of the anatomy measuring device transcervically to a fundus of a uterine cavity, the anatomy measuring device including an inner member withdrawn within the outer sheath;

initiating a fluid flow through the anatomy measuring device;

advancing the inner member relative to the outer sheath until a change in the fluid flow is detected, wherein the change in the fluid flow indicates the inner member is positioned at an external cervical os; and

measuring a position of the external cervical os based on the position of the inner member.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

advancing the inner member relative to the outer sheath until a change in the fluid flow is detected, wherein the change in the fluid flow indicates the inner member is positioned at an internal cervical os; and

measuring a position of the internal cervical os based on the position of the inner member.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

calculating a cervical canal length based on the position of the external cervical os and the position of the internal cervical os.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

calculating a uterine cavity length based on the position of the outer member and the position of the internal cervical os.

Assignments (7)
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 →
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 Jul 2, 2012
From: KOTMEL, ROBERT; BURLEY, J. BROOK; SAMPSON, RUSSEL M.; HILARIO, ESTELA H.
To: CYTYC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028479/0001 →