Endometrium coagulating surgical method for thermal destruction of the endometrium

Claim 1

A surgical procedure for coagulating endometrial tissue of a uterus adjacent to oviducts, Fallopian tubes, and a lower abdominal cavity, said uterus having a uterine cavity with an endometrial surface and an internal architecture, and further having a cervix with an exterior surface, comprising the steps of: a) distending the uterine cavity with a physiologically compatible solution, under direct vision, by means of a hysteroscope having a proximal portion for endocervical insertion at a depth into the uterus, said proximal portion including probe means and insulative probe sheath means including shoulder means of increased lateral dimensions contoured for contact with the exterior surface of the cervix for limiting the depth of endocervical insertion and further having channel means for delivering and introducing liquid to the uterine cavity under pressure sufficient to inflate and directly expose the entire endometrial surface; b) confirming that the proximal portion of the hysteroscope is properly located within the uterine cavity and that the cavity is properly inflated, by visualization of the internal architecture of the cavity relative to said proximal portion; c) withdrawing said solution from the uterine cavity thus causing the cavity to become substantially collapsed; and distending the uterine cavity under direct vision by means of said hysteroscope, by delivering and introducing to the uterine cavity an aqueous solution, that is heated to an endometrial tissue-coagulating temperature, under pressure sufficient to directly expose the entire endometrial surface and for a time sufficient to keep the heated aqueous solution in contact with said entire surface and thereby cause destruction of the endometrium.