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EP0407057A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for applying electromagnetic energy to a portion of the body of a patient

Assignee: Rocket of London Ltd
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Filing: 1990-06-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-06-20
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for applying electromagnetic radiation to the pelvic cavity is described, which comprises a first electrode (12) which is inserted into the pelvic cavity (10) in use. A second electrode (14) is also provided and an electromagnetic generating circuit (1, 2, 6, 9) is coupled to each electrode (12, 14). The frequency generated by the generating circuit (1, 2, 6, 9) in use is omitted by one of the electrodes (12) and received at the other electrode (14) so that the temperature of the cells adjacent to the first electrode (12) is increased above the normal cell temperature. The apparatus is particularly useful for exposing the endometrium to histotoxic temperatures and to thus achieve endometrial destruction. Typically, the electromagnetic radiation is radio frequency radiation which is preferably in the range of 500 kHz to 500 MHz. The end (22) of the first electrode (12) may be curved in order to allow access to the cornua regions of the uterine cavity and to improve endometrial contact.

Inventors

  • 👤 Stanley Brian Field
  • 👤 Jeffrey Howard Phipps

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 17:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1485; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61B17/00; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4216

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 85 words
Apparatus for applying electromagnetic energy to a portion of the body of a patient comprising a first electrode (12) adapted to be inserted into the body of a patient adjacent the portion of the body in use, and an electromagnetic energy generating means (1) coupled to the electrode (12); and wherein the first electrode is adapted to radiate electromagnetic energy generated by the generating means (1) in use to increase the temperature of cells adjacent to the first electrode (12) above the normal cell temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 85 words
Apparatus for applying electromagnetic energy to a portion of the body of a patient comprising a first electrode (12) adapted to be inserted into the body of a patient adjacent the portion of the body in use, and an electromagnetic energy generating means (1) coupled to the electrode (12); and wherein the first electrode is adapted to radiate electromagnetic energy generated by the generating means (1) in use to increase the temperature of cells adjacent to the first electrode (12) above the normal cell temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second electrode (14).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the second electrode (14) is external to the body of the patient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the second electrode (14) is a conductive belt which is placed around the body of the patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the electromagnetic energy is radio frequency electromagnetic energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the radio frequency generated by the generating circuit is substantially in the range from 500 kHz to 500 MHz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the first electrode (12) is adapted to be inserted into the uterine cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein a section (22) of the first electrode (12) which is inserted into the uterine cavity is curved.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 33 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises suction means (35) to draw the interior walls of the uterine cavity onto the surface of the first electrode (12).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 31 words
Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the suction means comprises apertures (35) on the surface of the section (22) of the first electrode (12) which is inserted into the uterine cavity.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1827306A Cited
EP0115420A2 Cited
WO1987001276A1 Cited
DE8527331U1 Cited

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