Systems for endometrial ablation
View Patent ↗A device for endometrial ablation having an elongated shaft with a working end comprising an expandable-contractable frame, a compliant energy-delivery surface carried by the frame, the surface and the frame being configured to engage against the interior of a patient's uterine cavity when the working end is inserted into the cavity and the frame is expanded.
1. A system for endometrial ablation comprising:
an elongated shaft with a working end having an axis and comprising a compliant energy-delivery surface actuatable by an interior expandable-contractable frame, wherein said compliant energy-delivery surface comprises a dielectric;
the surface expandable to a selected planar triangular shape configured for deployment to engage the walls of a patient's uterine cavity;
wherein the selected shape has an axial length ranging at least between 4.5 cm and 6.5 cm.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the selected shape has a width between a first apex and second apex ranging at least between 2.5 cm and 5 cm.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface is configured for primary expansion lateral outward from the axis by the frame.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface has a surface area of at least 25 cm 2 .
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface has a surface area ranging at least between 25 cm 2 and 30 cm 2 .
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface has a surface area of at least 22 cm 2 when the selected length is 4.0 cm.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface has a surface area of at least 23 cm 2 when the selected length is 4.5 cm.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface has a surface area of at least 24 cm 2 when the selected length is 5.0 cm.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface has a surface area of at least 25 cm 2 when the selected length is 5.5 cm.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface has a surface area of at least 26 cm 2 when the selected length is 6.0 cm.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface has a surface area of at least 27 cm 2 when the selected length is 6.5 cm.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant surface has a ratio of surface area to axial length of at least 4.5:1 in said selected axial lengths ranging from 4.5 cm to 6.5 cm.
13. A system for endometrial ablation comprising:
an elongated shaft with a working end having an axis and comprising a compliant energy-delivery surface actuatable by an interior expandable-contractable frame;
the surface expandable to a selected planar triangular shape configured for deployment to engage the walls of a patient's uterine cavity;
wherein the frame has flexible outer elements in lateral contact with the compliant surface and flexible inner elements not in said lateral contact, wherein the inner and outer elements have substantially dissimilar material properties.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein energy-delivery surface is configured for primary expansion in a lateral direction by the frame wherein axial movement of the inner elements moves the outer elements laterally.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the inner elements have a higher spring constant than the outer elements.
16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the inner elements have a plastic deformation range greater than the outer elements.
17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the inner elements are configured to maintain their spring function at operating temperatures.
18. The system of claim 13 , wherein the inner elements are formed from a precipitation hardenable stainless steel.
19. The system of claim 13 , wherein the outer elements are 304 SS or 316 SS.
20. The system of claim 13 , wherein the inner elements have a thickness greater than 0.012″.
21. The system of claim 13 , wherein the outer elements have a thickness less than 0.012″.
22. The system of claim 13 , wherein the inner elements have a thickness ranging between 0.012″ and 0.020″.
23. The system of claim 13 , wherein the outer elements have a thickness ranging between 0.004″ and 0.012″.