Patent Application

App. No. 17/626,529

Abstract

Claims (35)

1 - 33 . (canceled)

34 . A method of reducing postpartum bleeding comprising:

positioning a device comprising a vacuum element at least partially within a uterus;

sealing the uterus with a seal of the device;

activating vacuum in the uterus with the vacuum element of the device while the uterus is sealed; and

collapsing endometrial trumpet-shaped arteries at an inner surface of the uterus with the vacuum to reduce postpartum bleeding.

35 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising collapsing the uterus with the vacuum to cause contraction of uterine muscles and reduce postpartum bleeding.

36 . The method of claim 34 , wherein activating vacuum comprises supplying vacuum from a pump at between 1 L/min and 20 L/min.

37 . The method of claim 34 , wherein activating vacuum comprises supplying vacuum from a pump at between 10 L/min and 15 L/min.

38 . The method of claim 34 , wherein activating vacuum comprises producing a pressure of 40-160 mmHg.

39 . The method of claim 34 , wherein activating vacuum comprises producing a pressure of 50-100 mmHg.

40 . The method of claim 34 , wherein activating vacuum comprises producing a pressure of 70-90 mmHg.

41 . The method of claim 34 , wherein sealing the uterus comprises placing the seal in the lower uterus, cervix, vaginal canal, or at the vulva.

42 . The method of claim 34 , wherein sealing the uterus comprises sealing so as to hinder a flow of air into the uterus while vacuum is applied in order to achieve a therapeutic isobaric level of vacuum throughout the uterus.

43 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising maintaining an isobaric condition within the uterus after activating vacuum.

44 . The method of claim 34 , wherein activating vacuum comprises activating with a pump having a vacuum reservoir therein so as to enable a consistent flow of vacuum to the uterus.

45 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising detecting air in a tube connected to the vacuum element to determine if there is a leak in a seal.

46 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising visualizing a flow of blood from the uterus through a translucent or transparent tube connected to the vacuum element.

47 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the steps of positioning, sealing, activating, and collapsing result in stopping postpartum bleeding within 5 hours.

48 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the steps of positioning, sealing, activating, and collapsing result in stopping postpartum bleeding within 2 hours.

49 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising confirming that a cervix is dilated to greater than 3 cm prior to the positioning step.

50 . The method of claim 34 , wherein a leak rate past the seal is less than a pump rate of a pump supplying the vacuum.

51 . A method of reducing postpartum bleeding comprising:

positioning a device comprising a vacuum element at least partially within a uterus;

sealing the uterus with a seal of the device;

activating vacuum in the uterus with the vacuum element of the device while the uterus is sealed;

collapsing the uterus with the vacuum; and

maintaining an isobaric condition within the uterus after activating vacuum to reduce postpartum bleeding.

52 . The method of claim 51 , further comprising confirming that a cervix is dilated to greater than 3 cm prior to the positioning step.

53 . A method of reducing postpartum bleeding comprising:

positioning a device comprising a vacuum element at least partially within a uterus;

sealing the uterus with a seal of the device;

activating vacuum in the uterus with the vacuum element of the device while the uterus is sealed; and

collapsing endometrial trumpet-shaped arteries at an inner surface of the uterus with the vacuum to reduce postpartum bleeding; and

detecting air in a tube connected to the vacuum element to determine if there is a leak in a seal.

Assignments (10)