US3871374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dispensing instrument
Assignee: CRX MEDICAL Inc NORTH A CORP OF NC
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Filing: 1973-09-06
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A fluid dispensing instrument and method for introducing a fluid, as a drug material, into the canals of the Fallopian tubes of a primate female. The dispensing instrument has a tubular member carrying an expandable balloon assembly. The balloon assembly has a sleeve member which is initially expanded by operating an actuator assembly to substantially displace the entire uterine cavity and moniter the integrity of the walls of the uterus. The sleeve member is partially contracted by releasing the actuator assembly. A control mechanism cooperates with the actuator assembly to limit the fluid pressure on the sleeve member to a perdetermined pressure. Drug material is introduced into the upper portion of the uterine cavity above the partially expanded balloon assembly by operating a plunger which drives a container storing the drug material onto a needle. The balloon assembly is then fully expanded by operation of the actuator assembly to force the drug material from the upper portion of the uterine cavity into the canals of the Fallopian tubes. The expanding sleeve member forces the drug material into both canals.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee R Bolduc
- 👤 Eugene A Dickhudt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M31/00; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/20; A61F6/22; A61F6/225; A61M2210/00; A61M2210/14; A61M2210/1425
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An instrument for placing material into both canals of Fallopian tubes open to a uterine cavity comprising: a ballon assembly having an expandable sleeve member surrounding a chamber, means supporting the balloon assembly, dispensing means connected to said means supporting the balloon assembly operable to expand the sleeve member and discharge material into the uterine cavity, said dispensing means including first means fluidly connected to said chamber to supply fluid under pressure thereto, actuator means cooperating with said first means to supply a predetermined fluid pressure to said chamber to expand the sleeve member to fully displace the uterine cavity, control means cooperating with said actuator means when said predetermined pressure is attained to stop further expansion of the sleeve member, said control means allowing partial contraction of the sleeve member when the actuator means is released, and second means operable to discharge material into the uterine cavity, said actuator means operable to re-expand said sleeve member by subjecting the sleeve member to said predetermined pressure whereby said material in the uterine cavity is forced into the canals of the Fallopian tubes by the expanding sleeve member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An instrument for placing material into both canals of Fallopian tubes open to a uterine cavity comprising: a ballon assembly having an expandable sleeve member surrounding a chamber, means supporting the balloon assembly, dispensing means connected to said means supporting the balloon assembly operable to expand the sleeve member and discharge material into the uterine cavity, said dispensing means including first means fluidly connected to said chamber to supply fluid under pressure thereto, actuator means cooperating with said first means to supply a predetermined fluid pressure to said chamber to expand the sleeve member to fully displace the uterine cavity, control means cooperating with said actuator means when said predetermined pressure is attained to stop further expansion of the sleeve member, said control means allowing partial contraction of the sleeve member when the actuator means is released, and second means operable to discharge material into the uterine cavity, said actuator means operable to re-expand said sleeve member by subjecting the sleeve member to said predetermined pressure whereby said material in the uterine cavity is forced into the canals of the Fallopian tubes by the expanding sleeve member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein: the first means includes a cylinder and a piston movable within said cylinder to force fluid from said cylinder into the chamber, said actuator means engageable with said piston to move said piston relative to said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein: the actuator means includes a first member, a second member movable relative to said first member from an extended position to a contracted position, said contracted position being attained when the predetermined fluid pressure is present in the chamber, biasing means yieldably holding the second member in its extended position, and lock means engageable with the control means when the second member is in the contracted position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The instrument of claim 3 wherein: the control means includes a movable member having a plurality of spaced fingers selectively engageable with the lock means, biasing means holding the movable member in a stop position and allowing movement away from the stop position on release of the actuator means whereby the sleeve member is partially contracted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The instrument of claim 4 wherein: the lock means includes a body having a projection, and biasing means for moving the projection between adjacent fingers when said predetermined pressure is attained.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein: the sleeve member is made of expandable tubular sheet material having low surface tension properties.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein: the elongated means is a tubular member having a passage open to a chamber surrounded by the sleeve member, said first means being fluidly connected to said passage, said second means including a tube extended longitudinally through said passage, said tube having an exit opening means adjacent the sleeve member, container means carrying the material connectable to said tube, and means operable to couple the container means to the tube and drive the material from the container means through the tube and into the uterine cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The instrument of claim 7 wherein: the exit opening means has a first opening for directing material in one direction in the uterine cavity and a second opening for directing material in another direction in the uterine cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein: the second means includes a tube having exit openiNg means adjacent the sleeve member to direct material into the uterine cavity, said exit opening means having a first opening for directing material in one direction and a second opening for directing material in another direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
An instrument for placing material into both canals of Fallopian tubes of a uterine cavity comprising: expandable sleeve means surrounding a chamber for displacing the uterine cavity, dispenser means connected to said sleeve means operable to expand the sleeve means and discharge material into the uterine cavity, said dispenser means including a first means to supply a predetermined fluid pressure to said chamber to expand the sleeve means to fully displace the uterine cavity, control means cooperating with said first means when said predetermined pressure is attained to stop further expansion of the sleeve means, said control means allowing partial contraction of the sleeve means when the first means is released, and second means operable to discharge material into the uterine cavity, said first means operable to re-expand said sleeve means by subjecting the sleeve means to said predetermined pressure whereby said material in the uterine cavity is forced into the canals of the Fallopian tubes by the expanding sleeve means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
161 words
An instrument for placing material into both canals of Fallopian tubes of a uterine cavity comprising: expandable sleeve means surrounding a chamber for displacing the uterine cavity, dispenser means connected to said sleeve means operable to expand the sleeve means and discharge material into the uterine cavity, said dispenser means including a first means to supply a predetermined fluid pressure to said chamber to expand the sleeve means to fully displace the uterine cavity, control means cooperating with said first means when said predetermined pressure is attained to stop further expansion of the sleeve means, said control means allowing partial contraction of the sleeve means when the first means is released, and second means operable to discharge material into the uterine cavity, said first means operable to re-expand said sleeve means by subjecting the sleeve means to said predetermined pressure whereby said material in the uterine cavity is forced into the canals of the Fallopian tubes by the expanding sleeve means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The instrument of claim 10 wherein: said first means includes a cylinder and a piston movable within said cylinder to force fluid from said cylinder into the chamber surrounded by the sleeve means, and actuator means engageable with said piston to move said piston relative to said cylinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
The instrument of claim 11 wherein: the actuator means includes a first member, a second member movable relative to the first member from an extended position to a contracted position, said contracted position being attained when the predetermined fluid pressure is present in the chamber, biasing means yieldably holding the second member in its extended position, and lock means engageable with the control means when the second member is in the contracted position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The instrument of claim 12 wherein: the control means includes a movable member having a plurality of spaced fingers selectively engageable with the lock means, biasing means holding the movable member in a stop position and allowing movement away from the stop position on release of the actuator means whereby the sleeve member is partially contracted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The instrument of claim 13 wherein: the lock means includes a body having a projection, and biasing means for moving the projection between adjacent fingers when said predetermined pressure is attained.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 10 wherein: the sleeve means is made of expandable tubular sheet material having low surface tension properties.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
115 words
An instrument for placing material in both canals of Fallopian tubes open to the uterine cavity comprising: a balloon assembly having an expandable sleeve member, first means operable to expand the sleeve member into engagement with the inside walls of the uterus to fully displace the uterine cavity and then partially contract the sleeve member, second means for discharging material into the uterine cavity between the partially contracted sleeve member and the inside top wall of the uterus, said first means being operable to re-expand the sleeve member to fully displace the uterine cavity whereby the material in the uterine cavity is forced into the canals of the Fallopian tubes by the re-expanding sleeve member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
115 words
An instrument for placing material in both canals of Fallopian tubes open to the uterine cavity comprising: a balloon assembly having an expandable sleeve member, first means operable to expand the sleeve member into engagement with the inside walls of the uterus to fully displace the uterine cavity and then partially contract the sleeve member, second means for discharging material into the uterine cavity between the partially contracted sleeve member and the inside top wall of the uterus, said first means being operable to re-expand the sleeve member to fully displace the uterine cavity whereby the material in the uterine cavity is forced into the canals of the Fallopian tubes by the re-expanding sleeve member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The instrument of claim 16 including: elongated tubular means for supporting the balloon assembly connected to the first means and the second means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
The instrument of claim 16 wherein: the first means includes an actuator assembly operable to supply predetermined fluid pressure to a chamber surrounded by the sleeve means, and control means cooperating with said actuator assembly when said predetermined pressure is attained to stop further expansion of the sleeve member, said control means allowing partial contraction of the sleEve member when the actuator assembly is released.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
73 words
The instrument of claim 18 wherein: the actuator means includes a first member, a second member movable relative to the first member from an extended position to a contracted position, said contracted position being attained when the predetermined fluid pressure is present in the chamber, biasing means yieldably holding the second member in its extended position, and lock means engageable with the control means when the second member is in the contracted position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
The instrument of claim 19 wherein: the control means includes a movable member having a plurality of spaced fingers selectively engageable with the lock means, biasing means holding the movable member in a stop position and allowing movement away from the stop position on release of the actuator means whereby the sleeve member is partially contracted.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The instrument of claim 20 wherein: the lock means includes a body having a projection, and biasing means for moving the projection between adjacent fingers when said predetermined pressure is attained.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 16 wherein: the sleeve means is made of expandable tubular sheet material having low surface tension properties.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of placing material in both canals of the Fallopian tubes open to the uterine cavity with an expandable ballon means comprising: introducing the ballon means into the uterine cavity, expanding the balloon means to displace substantially the entire uterine cavity by subjecting the balloon means to a predetermined fluid pressure to expand the balloon means, partially contracting the balloon means by reducing the fluid pressure applied to the balloon means, discharging material into the uterine cavity above the partially contracted balloon means, re-expanding the partially contracted balloon assembly to again fully displace the uterine cavity by subjecting the balloon means to fluid pressure to displace substantially the entire uterine cavity thereby forcing the material into the canals of the Fallopian tubes, contracting the balloon means by reducing the fluid pressure applied thereto, and removing the contracted balloon means from the uterine cavity.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of placing material in both canals of the Fallopian tubes open to the uterine cavity with an expandable ballon means comprising: introducing the ballon means into the uterine cavity, expanding the balloon means to displace substantially the entire uterine cavity by subjecting the balloon means to a predetermined fluid pressure to expand the balloon means, partially contracting the balloon means by reducing the fluid pressure applied to the balloon means, discharging material into the uterine cavity above the partially contracted balloon means, re-expanding the partially contracted balloon assembly to again fully displace the uterine cavity by subjecting the balloon means to fluid pressure to displace substantially the entire uterine cavity thereby forcing the material into the canals of the Fallopian tubes, contracting the balloon means by reducing the fluid pressure applied thereto, and removing the contracted balloon means from the uterine cavity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 23 wherein: the balloon means is initially expanded to fully displace the uterine cavity with a fluid pressure of approximately 7 psi to 7 1/2 psi and said balloon means is partially contracted by reducing the fluid pressure applied thereto to approximately 2 1/2 psi to 3 psi.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 23 wherein: the material is discharged into the uterine cavity in opposite lateral directions which separates the material into two portions, said expansion of the partially contracted balloon means moving said two portions of the material into the canals of the Fallopian tubes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 23 including: preventing an increase in the predetermined fluid pressure when the predetermined pressure is attained.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 wherein: the fluid pressure applied to the balloon means is reduced more than one-half the value of the predetermined fluid pressure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 23 wherein: the balloon means is re-expanded by subjecting the balloon means to substantially the same predetermined fluid pressure used to first expand the balloon means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |