IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,402,938
Granted Patent B2
US 12,402,938 · App. 18/498,681 · Granted Sep 2, 2025

Methods for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity

Inventors: Akos Toth (Cupertinio, CA); Robin Bek (Campbell, CA); Dominique Filloux (Redwood City, CA); Tejas N. Mazmudar (Palo Alto, CA); Csaba Truckai (Saratoga, CA)
Assignee: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
A61B18/1485A61B2018/0022A61B2018/00232A61B2018/00559A61B2018/00642A61B2018/00702A61B2018/00744A61B2018/00791A61B2018/00821A61B2018/00863
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,402,938
App. No.
18/498,681
Granted
Sep 2, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (46)

1. A method of evaluating an integrity of a patient's uterus, the method comprising:

positioning an expandable structure in a uterine cavity of a patient, the expandable structure comprising a portion of an energy application system for delivering ablation energy to uterine tissue;

expanding the expandable structure within the uterine cavity;

introducing a fluid from a first fluid source into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure;

introducing a fluid from a second fluid source into the expandable structure;

monitoring a flow rate of the fluid introduced into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure; and

monitoring a flow rate of the fluid introduced into the expandable structure;

determining whether the uterine cavity is perforated or non-perforated, wherein the uterine cavity is determined as perforated where the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the expandable structure impinges the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

permitting activation of RF energy to the energy application system based on a determination the uterine cavity is non-perforated.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

preventing activation of RF energy to the energy application system based on a determination the uterine cavity is perforated.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure and the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the expandable structure are monitored contemporaneously.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure and the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the expandable structure are monitored sequentially.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein introducing the fluid from the first fluid source into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure is initiated prior to introducing the fluid from the second fluid source into the expandable structure.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid from the first fluid source is CO 2 .

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid from the second fluid source is Argon.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid from the second fluid source is introduced into the expandable structure at a flow rate of 0.8 SLPM.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein expanding the expandable structure within the uterine cavity includes expanding a frame within an interior of the expandable structure.

11. A method of evaluating an integrity of a patient's uterus, the method comprising:

positioning an expandable structure in a uterine cavity of the patient, the expandable structure comprising a portion of an energy application system for delivering ablation energy to uterine tissue;

expanding the expandable structure within the uterine cavity;

introducing a fluid from a first fluid source into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure;

introducing a fluid from a second fluid source into the expandable structure; and

determining whether the uterine cavity is perforated or non-perforated based on a monitored flow rate of the fluid introduced into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure and/or a monitored flow rate of the fluid introduced into the expandable structure;

wherein the uterine cavity is determined as perforated where the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the expandable structure impinges the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure; and

wherein the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the uterine cavity is impinged where the flow rate of the fluid introduced into the uterine cavity changes during the introduction of the fluid into the expandable structure.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fluid from the first fluid source is CO 2 .

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fluid from the second fluid source is Argon.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

permitting activation of RF energy to the energy application system based on a determination the uterine cavity is non-perforated.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

preventing activation of RF energy to the energy application system based on a determination the uterine cavity is perforated.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein introducing the fluid from the first fluid source into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure is initiated prior to introducing the fluid from the second fluid source into the expandable structure.

17. A method of evaluating an integrity of a patient's uterus, the method comprising:

positioning an expandable structure in a uterine cavity of the patient, the expandable structure comprising a portion of an energy application system for delivering ablation energy to uterine tissue;

expanding the expandable structure within the uterine cavity;

introducing a first gas into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure;

introducing a second gas into an interior of the expandable structure;

monitoring a flow rate of an inflow of the first gas with a flow meter;

determining whether the flow rate of the first gas changes during an inflow of the second gas into the interior of the expandable structure; and

characterizing the uterine cavity as perforated based on a determination the flow rate of the second gas introduced into the expandable structure impinges the flow rate of the first gas introduced into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

preventing activation of RF energy to the energy application system based on a determination the uterine cavity is perforated.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein introducing the second gas into the interior of the expandable structure is initiated subsequent to introducing the first gas into the uterine cavity exterior of the expandable structure.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the second gas is introduced into the expandable structure at a flow rate of 0.8 SLPM.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2026
From: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
To: AXORA MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 075561/0186 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2026
From: AXORA MEDICAL, INC.
To: SYMBIOTIC CAPITAL AGENCY LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 074537/0617 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 17532801 · Nov 22, 2021
Continuation 15844050 · Dec 15, 2017
Continuation 13488214 · Jun 4, 2012
Continuation 13442449 · Apr 9, 2012
Provisional Application 61491842 · May 31, 2011
Provisional Application 61483542 · May 6, 2011
Related Publication 20240058055A1 · Feb 22, 2024
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