Systems and methods for endometrial ablation
A system for treating uterine tissue having a seal assembly configured for positioning in a patient's cervical canal and uterine cavity; an expandable distal balloon portion; an expandable elongate medial balloon portion configured for movement between a first transversely expanded shape for engaging a cervical canal and a second transversely non-expanded shape for trans-cervical insertion; and a fluid source in communication with distal balloon portion and medial balloon portion for expansion of said balloon portions.
1. A method of treating a uterine cavity of a patient, the method comprising:
advancing a cervical seal through a cervix of the patient, the cervical seal including a distal balloon and a ridged region extending proximal of the distal balloon, the ridged region including a plurality of ridges and valleys alternatingly disposed along a length thereof;
thereafter, inflating the distal balloon to seal the uterine cavity and axially compressing the ridged region to radially expand the plurality of ridges; and
thereafter, performing an endometrial ablation procedure with an ablation probe positioned in the uterine cavity distal of the distal balloon.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inflating the distal balloon includes using a syringe to inject an inflation fluid into the distal balloon.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ridges are annular ridges.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ridges are helical ridges.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal balloon is inflated within the uterine cavity just beyond the patient's cervical os.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ablation probe is introduced through the cervical seal and into the uterine cavity after inflating the distal balloon.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ridged region is positioned through a cervical canal of the patient.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the ridged region is positioned through the cervical canal of the patient prior to inflating the distal balloon.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of valleys have a higher durometer than the plurality of ridges.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein upon inflation of the distal balloon, the distal balloon extends to a larger radial extent than the plurality of ridges of the ridged region.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cervical seal is secured to a sleeve, wherein the ablation probe is axially movable through a lumen of the sleeve.
12. A method of treating a uterine cavity of a patient, the method comprising:
advancing a cervical seal through a cervical canal of the patient, the cervical seal including a distal balloon and a ridged region extending proximal of the distal balloon, the ridged region including a plurality of ridges and valleys alternatingly disposed along a length thereof;
thereafter, sealing the uterine cavity by inflating the distal balloon against an internal os of the cervical canal while the ridged region extends beyond an external os into a vagina of the patient; and
thereafter, performing an endometrial ablation procedure with an ablation probe positioned in the uterine cavity distal of the distal balloon.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ridges are annular ridges.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ridges are helical ridges.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein upon inflation of the distal balloon, the distal balloon extends to a larger radial extent than the plurality of ridges of the ridged region.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the ablation probe is introduced through the cervical seal and into the uterine cavity after inflating the distal balloon.
17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising axially compressing the ridged region to radially expand the plurality of ridges.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the cervical seal is secured to a sleeve, wherein the ablation probe is axially movable through a lumen of the sleeve.
19. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
inflating the ridged region against the cervical canal.