Methods and systems for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity
Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO 2 ) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate.
1. A system for characterizing a patient's uterus, said system comprising:
a probe;
means for introducing a flow of gas through the probe;
means for measuring an inflow rate of the flow of gas through the probe when positioned in the uterus;
means for comparing a measured peak flow with a measured subsequent flow rate through the probe to produce a comparison of the measured peak flow rate and the measured subsequent flow rate; and
means for determining whether the uterus cavity is perforated based at least in part on the comparison of the peak and subsequent flow rates.
2. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the probe is adapted for transcervical introduction to the uterus.
3. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the gas introducing means is adapted to deliver the gas at a pre-determined constant pressure.
4. A system as in claim 3 , wherein the gas introducing means is adapted to introduce the gas at a pressure in the range from 0.025 psi to 1 psi.
5. A system as in claim 3 , wherein the gas introducing means is adapted to deliver gas at a pre-determined initial flow rate.
6. A system as in claim 5 , wherein the initial flow rate is in the range from 0.05 slpm to 0.2 slpm.
7. A system as in claim 5 , wherein the determining means detects when the initial flow rate drops by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50% of the initial flow rate.
8. A system as in claim 5 , wherein the determining means detects when the initial flow rate drops to a value in the range from 0.01 slpm to 0.1 slpm.