US5562720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bipolar/monopolar endometrial ablation device and method
Assignee: Covidien AG
•
Filing: 1994-10-06
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Granted: 1996-10-08
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Expires: 2014-10-06
Abstract
Abstract An endometrial ablation device and a method of manufacturing and using the device. An RF current is passed through an endometrium to heat it. An electroconductive expandable member such as a balloon is used as the medium for passing the current and causing the heating of the endometrium. The power delivered from a power source to the balloon is selectively provided to a plurality of electrode area segments on the balloon with each of the segments have a thermistor associated with it whereby temperature is monitored and controlled by a feedback arrangement from the thermistors. The selective application of power is provided on the basis of a switching arrangement which provides either monopolar or bipolar energy to the electrodes. The method of manufacturing the ablation device includes using commercially available stretchable sheet material or providing a mandrel or support base and coating the mandrel or base with an uncured emulsion. The emulsion is then cured to form a bladder-like coating. The coating is thereafter removed from the mandrel or base to form a bladder. Electrons and temperature sensors are formed on or secured to the bladder during or after the curing process and a fluid delivery tube is secured to the bladder for inflating the bladder.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger A. Stern
- 👤 Vincent N. Sullivan
- 👤 Roxanne L. Richman
- 👤 Loren L. Roy
- 👤 Robert L. Marion
- 👤 Thomas D. Striegler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/40; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B18/14; A61B18/1482; A61B18/1485; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61B18/1233; A61B18/1402; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00092; A61B2017/00101; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00292; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4216; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00113; A61B2018/00148; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00172; A61B2018/00178; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00404; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00601; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00654; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00815; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00892; A61B2018/00982; A61B2018/00988; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1465; A61B2018/1467; A61B18/16; A61B2018/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for selectively applying RF energy to a body organ, said apparatus comprising: an electrode means for effecting electrical contact with tissue of said body organ; a radio frequency power means for providing current to said electrode means at a frequency greater than 250 kHz; and switching means for receiving an output from said radio frequency power means and for controlling the current to said electrode means, wherein said switching means includes a first means for providing bipolar energy to said electrode means, a second means for providing monopolar energy to said electrode means, and a third means for selecting one of said first and second means, and wherein selected portions of said tissue are heated at a uniform temperature between 45° C. and 90° C. by passing current through the selected portions of the tissue.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for selectively applying RF energy to a body organ, said apparatus comprising: an electrode means for effecting electrical contact with tissue of said body organ; a radio frequency power means for providing current to said electrode means at a frequency greater than 250 kHz; and switching means for receiving an output from said radio frequency power means and for controlling the current to said electrode means, wherein said switching means includes a first means for providing bipolar energy to said electrode means, a second means for providing monopolar energy to said electrode means, and a third means for selecting one of said first and second means, and wherein selected portions of said tissue are heated at a uniform temperature between 45° C. and 90° C. by passing current through the selected portions of the tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electrode means comprises a plurality of electrodes and wherein said first means further includes a means for delivering said RF energy in a bipolar mode between selected ones of said plurality of electrodes.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of heating body organ tissue by the selective application of RF energy to said tissue, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of electrodes in electrical contact with said body organ; providing a source of radio frequency energy to said plurality of electrodes, said source including switching means for switching between monopolar and bipolar delivery of energy to the electrodes; selecting one of monopolar and bipolar delivery of energy by means of the switching means; and controlling said radio frequency energy to the electrodes so as to heat selected portions of the body organ to a uniform temperature between 45° C. and 90° C. by passing current through the selected portions of the body organ.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of heating body organ tissue by the selective application of RF energy to said tissue, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of electrodes in electrical contact with said body organ; providing a source of radio frequency energy to said plurality of electrodes, said source including switching means for switching between monopolar and bipolar delivery of energy to the electrodes; selecting one of monopolar and bipolar delivery of energy by means of the switching means; and controlling said radio frequency energy to the electrodes so as to heat selected portions of the body organ to a uniform temperature between 45° C. and 90° C. by passing current through the selected portions of the body organ.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the step of controlling said radio frequency energy includes selectively providing bipolar energy to selected pairs of said plurality of electrodes.
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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) | 1999-10-08 | 2000-04-08 | 2000-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-08 | 2004-04-08 | 2004-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-08 | 2008-04-08 | 2008-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |