Cytyc Corporation

Minerva Surgical, Inc.

Neomend, Inc.

Meditrina, Inc.

Advanced Closure Systems, Inc.

Cardiosynopsis, Inc.

Cytyc Surgical Products

Novacept, Inc.

Eugene V Skalnyi

Stuart D Edwards

Theodore R Kucklick

Theodore L Parker

Estela Hilario

Thomas C Wehman

Akos Toth

Russel Mahlon Sampson

Dominique Filloux

Tejas N Mazmudar

Sean Darby

Ronald G Lax

Russell M Sampson

Dave Clapper

Csaba Truckai

John H Shadduck

Alan A Stein

John Evans

Peter Park

J Brook Burley

David Clapper

Estala Hilario

An endoscope includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, and an image sensor is carried on the distal end of the shaft. A channel extends through at least a distal shaft portion and has a channel diameter, and a section of the channel is re-configurable between a constricted shape and a non-constricted shape to accommodate tools introduced therethrough. The combined diagonal dimension and channel diameter is usually greater than the outer shaft diameter. The image sensor may be connected to a connector on the housing by a first slack flex circuit and a lights source on the shaft may be connected to a connector on the housing by a second slack flex circuit.

Endoscope and method of use

A system for accessing a patient's uterine cavity and detecting perforations in the uterus includes an elongated probe having a flow channel extending to a terminal outlet in a distal region of the probe. A fluid source is coupled to the flow channel, and a seal on the probe is positionable in an endocervical canal. The probe may be trans-cervically inserted into the uterine cavity, and a fluid may be introduced through the channel to flow outwardly from the terminal outlet into the uterine cavity. A parameter of said fluid flow is monitored to detect a perforation in the uterus.

Systems and methods for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity

A system for treating uterine tissue comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal and distal ends. An energy applicator at the distal end of the elongated shaft is actuatable between a non-expanded shape to be inserted through a patient's cervical canal and an expanded shape to conform to the walls of the patient's uterus. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the elongated shaft. The handle may include first and second moveable grips coupled to actuate the energy applicator with an upper spring and a lower spring disposed to urge the first and second moveable grips to move apart. An inflatable seal may be located at a distal end of the elongated shaft with a thermally insulating sleeve disposed over the elongated shaft proximal to the inflatable seal. An extension member may be coupled to axially advance and retract the extension member and have a central passage to removably receive an endoscope to enable viewing through the transparent portion of the energy applicator. Alternatively, a tubular sheath may be coupled to the elongated shaft to removably receive an endoscope to enable forward viewing from a location near the distal end of the energy applicator.

Medical systems for endometrial ablation

A system for accessing a patient's uterine cavity and detecting perforations in the uterus includes an elongated probe having a flow channel extending to a terminal outlet in a distal region of the probe. A fluid source is coupled to the flow channel, and a seal on the probe is positionable in an endocervical canal. The probe may be trans-cervical inserted into the uterine cavity, and a fluid may be introduced through the channel to flow outwardly from the terminal outlet into the uterine cavity. A parameter of said fluid flow is monitored to detect a perforation in the uterus.

An endocervical seal has a sleeve with a passageway for receiving an intrauterine interventional or diagnostic tool. The sleeve has a coaxially disposed outer balloon with a distal portion configured to inflate in a cervical os and a proximal portion configured to inflate in a cervical canal.

Systems and methods for endometrial ablation

A method and system for achieving hemostasis (the stoppage of bleeding) is described. RF (radio frequency) energy is used to ablate the surface of tissue to stop bleeding. The depth of destruction of the tissue can be controlled so as to desiccate and coagulate the tissue. In one implementation, an electrode carrier including bipolar electrodes is applied to the tissue, and RF energy transmitted through the bipolar electrodes to ablate the tissue. A layer of desiccated tissue can be created as well as coagulation of the tissue to achieve hemostasis.

Hemostasis device

Ablation device

Systems and methods introduce a closure material to seal a vessel puncture site. The system and methods provide a catheter adapted for passage through a tissue puncture and sized to occupy substantially all the tissue puncture. The catheter includes a lumen in fluid communication with a fluid delivery port adjacent the catheter distal end. One or more dispensers are in fluid communication with the catheter lumen for dispensing first and second fluid compositions in the catheter lumen. An actuator causes the first and second fluid compositions to be dispensed from the dispensers and mixed by flowing the first and second fluid compositions through a static mixer. The first and second fluid compositions are dispensed from the fluid delivery port as a fluid mixture that reacts in situ to form a nonfluent closure composition adjacent the vessel puncture site.

Systems and methods for sealing a vascular puncture

A medical device and procedure is described for occluding a fallopian tube. A tubal occlusion device is inserted into a uterine cavity. The device includes an RF applicator head including an electrode carrier with one or more bipolar electrodes thereon. During insertion, the RF applicator head can be in a closed position. The RF applicator head is positioned at a tubal ostium of a fallopian tube, such that a distal tip of the RF applicator head advances into the tubal ostium. The RF applicator head is deployed into an open position such that the RF applicator head approximates the shape of the uterine cavity in a region of the tubal ostium. Current is passed through the one or more bipolar electrodes to the tubal ostium to destroy tissue to a known depth, which precipitates a healing response in surrounding tissue that over time scars and occludes the fallopian tube.

Method and system for transcervical tubal occlusion

Emergency hemostasis device utilizing energy

Disclosed is an ablation method and apparatus used to close veins for treatment of venous insufficiency disease. The apparatus includes a catheter proportioned for insertion into a vein, a pair of inflatable balloons spaced apart on the catheter body, and an ablation electrode array disposed between the balloons. According to the disclosed method, the catheter is introduced into the vein to be treated and the balloons are distended. Blood is flushed and aspirated from the site between the balloons. RF power is applied to the electrode array, causing scarring of the vessel walls and eventual sealing of the vein.

Apparatus and method for treating venous reflux

A closure device is provided for sealing a puncture in a body vessel. The closure device includes an energy delivery device for delivering energy to tissue adjacent the vessel puncture which enhances an adhesiveness of the tissue to a closure composition precursor. The closure device includes a sealer/dilator for dilating tissue adjacent a vessel puncture, at least one closure composition precursor lumen within The sealer/dilator having an entrance part adjacent the proximal end of the sealer/dilator through which one or more fluent closure composition precursors can be delivered into the closure composition precursor lumen and an exit port adjacent the distal end of the sealer/dilator through which the one or more fluent closure composition precursors can be delivered outside the vessel adjacent the vessel puncture, and a plugging catheter for positioning within the vessel puncture, the plugging catheter extending distally from the sealer/dilator and including at least one position sensing mechanism such that the exit port of the closure composition precursor lumen is outside the vessel when the at least one position sensing mechanism is detected outside the vessel.

Pretreatment method for enhancing tissue adhesion

Growing community of inventors

Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Eugene V Skalnyi