US5891094A — System for direct heating of fluid solution in a …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 86 words

A thermal ablation device for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the device comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; a heating apparatus operably attached to the elongate member near the distal end; and a fluid circulator operably attached to the elongate member, the fluid circulator including an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end which includes magnetic coupling, wherein the magnetic coupling is adapted to be coupled with a magnetic coupling of a drive unit to rotate the fluid circulator.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 86 words

A thermal ablation device for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the device comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; a heating apparatus operably attached to the elongate member near the distal end; and a fluid circulator operably attached to the elongate member, the fluid circulator including an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end which includes magnetic coupling, wherein the magnetic coupling is adapted to be coupled with a magnetic coupling of a drive unit to rotate the fluid circulator.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device as in claim 1, wherein the fluid circulator further comprises an impeller located near the heating apparatus which is rotated upon rotation of the drive shaft.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device as in claim 1, wherein the elongate member and the drive shaft are flexible.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device as in claim 1, wherein the heating apparatus comprises a pair of spaced-apart electrodes.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device as in claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a heating chamber near the distal end, and wherein the heating apparatus is disposed within the heating chamber.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device as in claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling of the drive shaft is enclosed within the elongate member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 96 words

A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the system comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; a heating apparatus operably attached to the elongate member near the distal end; a fluid circulator operably attached to the elongate member, the fluid circulator including an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end and a magnetic coupling at the proximal end; and a drive unit comprising a rotatable magnetic coupling, wherein the drive shaft magnetic coupling may be coupled to the drive unit magnetic coupling to rotate the fluid circulator.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 96 words

A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the system comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; a heating apparatus operably attached to the elongate member near the distal end; a fluid circulator operably attached to the elongate member, the fluid circulator including an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end and a magnetic coupling at the proximal end; and a drive unit comprising a rotatable magnetic coupling, wherein the drive shaft magnetic coupling may be coupled to the drive unit magnetic coupling to rotate the fluid circulator.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system as in claim 7, further comprising at least one spacer to distance the magnetic couplings when magnetically coupled together.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system as in claim 8, wherein the drive shaft is held within the elongate member, and wherein the spacer comprises the proximal end of the elongate member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system as in claim 9, wherein proximal end of the elongate member fluidically seals the elongate member from the drive unit.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system as in claim 7, wherein the heating apparatus comprises a pair of spaced apart electrodes, and further comprising a radio frequency power supply coupled to the electrodes.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system as in claim 11, wherein the elongate member includes an electrical interface to which the radio frequency power supply may be coupled.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 50 words

The system as in claim 12, wherein the radio frequency power supply is included within a controller, and wherein the controller includes an electrical interface which is coupled to the electrical interface of the elongate member upon magnetic coupling of the couplings to supply radio frequency power to the electrodes.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system as in claim 7, wherein the elongate member further includes an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen to deliver and remove a thermally conductive fluid to and from the hollow body organ.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system as in claim 14, further comprising an open fluid reservoir in communication with the inflow lumen, said fluid reservoir holding a supply of the thermally conductive fluid.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 60 words

A method for thermally ablating a hollow body organ, the method comprising: introducing a thermally conductive fluid and a heating apparatus having a fluid circulator into the hollow body organ so that the fluid circulator is within the hollow body organ; magnetically coupling the fluid circulator to a drive unit, and operating the drive unit to rotate the fluid circulator.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 60 words

A method for thermally ablating a hollow body organ, the method comprising: introducing a thermally conductive fluid and a heating apparatus having a fluid circulator into the hollow body organ so that the fluid circulator is within the hollow body organ; magnetically coupling the fluid circulator to a drive unit, and operating the drive unit to rotate the fluid circulator.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method as in claim 16, further comprising fluidically sealing the fluid circulator from the drive unit.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method as in claim 16, further comprising electrically isolating the fluid circulator from the drive unit.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method as in claim 16, further comprising discarding the heating apparatus after use, and reusing the drive unit.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method as in claim 16, further comprising heating the fluid without direct substantial heating of a heating element.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 79 words

A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ which is filled with a fluid, the system comprising: a heating apparatus having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is adapted to be received within the hollow body organ; and a flow sensor operably coupled to the heating apparatus to detect a change of volume of the fluid within the hollow body organ while the heating apparatus is within the hollow body organ.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 79 words

A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ which is filled with a fluid, the system comprising: a heating apparatus having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is adapted to be received within the hollow body organ; and a flow sensor operably coupled to the heating apparatus to detect a change of volume of the fluid within the hollow body organ while the heating apparatus is within the hollow body organ.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 46 words

The system as in claim 21, further comprising a controller, wherein the heating apparatus and the flow sensor are coupled to the controller, and wherein the controller ceases operation of the heating apparatus when the flow sensor senses a volume change that exceeds a threshold amount.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 52 words

The system as in claim 21, further comprising a fluid reservoir which is adapted to be placed in communication with the hollow body organ to fill the hollow body organ with the fluid, and wherein the flow sensor comprises a drip chamber and means for detecting droplets passing through the drip chamber.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system as in claim 23, wherein the fluid reservoir is open to the atmosphere.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system as in claim 23, wherein the heating apparatus includes a fluid circulator to circulate the fluid within the hollow body organ.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 59 words

A method for thermally treating a hollow body organ that is filled with a fluid, the method comprising: inserting a distal end of a heating apparatus into the hollow body organ; operating the heating apparatus to heat the fluid; and monitoring for a change in volume of the fluid within the hollow body organ while operating the heating apparatus.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 59 words

A method for thermally treating a hollow body organ that is filled with a fluid, the method comprising: inserting a distal end of a heating apparatus into the hollow body organ; operating the heating apparatus to heat the fluid; and monitoring for a change in volume of the fluid within the hollow body organ while operating the heating apparatus.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as in claim 26, further comprising ceasing operation of the heating apparatus when a predetermined volume change of the fluid within the hollow body organ has been detected.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method as in claim 27, placing a fluid reservoir in communication with the hollow body organ and detecting a flow of fluid from the reservoir to the hollow body organ to detect a change of volume of the fluid within the hollow body organ.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method as in claim 28, further comprising placing a drip chamber below the reservoir and detecting droplets of fluid falling through the drip chamber to detect the flow of fluid.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method as in claim 26, wherein the heating apparatus includes a fluid circulator and further comprising circulating the fluid with the fluid circulator while heating the fluid.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 124 words

A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the system comprising: a heating apparatus which is adapted to be placed in the hollow body organ; a fluid reservoir and a fluid line which is attached to the fluid reservoir and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the hollow body organ; a first and a second one way valve disposed in the fluid line; and a plunger operably attached to the fluid line between the first and the second valves, wherein movement of the plunger in one direction draws fluid from the reservoir and through the first valve and movement of the plunger in another direction moves the fluid through the second valve and into the hollow body organ.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 124 words

A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the system comprising: a heating apparatus which is adapted to be placed in the hollow body organ; a fluid reservoir and a fluid line which is attached to the fluid reservoir and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the hollow body organ; a first and a second one way valve disposed in the fluid line; and a plunger operably attached to the fluid line between the first and the second valves, wherein movement of the plunger in one direction draws fluid from the reservoir and through the first valve and movement of the plunger in another direction moves the fluid through the second valve and into the hollow body organ.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system as in claim 31, wherein the fluid line is operably attached to a lumen in the heating apparatus, and wherein the fluid is delivered to the hollow body organ through the heating apparatus.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system as in claim 31, wherein the fluid reservoir is open to the atmosphere.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for thermally treating the uterus, the method comprising: providing a heating apparatus comprising an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, at least one heating element and a fluid circulator near the distal end, wherein the elongate body is flexible at least near the distal end; introducing the distal end through the cervix until the distal end is within the uterus, with the elongate body bending within the cervix to generally center the distal end within the uterus; and operating the heating element when within the uterus.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for thermally treating the uterus, the method comprising: providing a heating apparatus comprising an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, at least one heating element and a fluid circulator near the distal end, wherein the elongate body is flexible at least near the distal end; introducing the distal end through the cervix until the distal end is within the uterus, with the elongate body bending within the cervix to generally center the distal end within the uterus; and operating the heating element when within the uterus.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method as in claim 34, further comprising filling the uterus with a thermally conductive fluid and operating the fluid circulator to circulate the fluid.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method as in claim 35, further comprising heating the fluid without substantial direct heating of the heating element.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 47 words

A transcervical uterine access device comprising: a flexible elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end; a heating apparatus near the distal end; and a fluid circulator near the heating element, wherein the fluid circulator includes a flexible drive shaft extending through the flexible body.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 47 words

A transcervical uterine access device comprising: a flexible elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end; a heating apparatus near the distal end; and a fluid circulator near the heating element, wherein the fluid circulator includes a flexible drive shaft extending through the flexible body.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 74 words

A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the system comprising: a heating apparatus comprising an elongate body, at least one heating element and a fluid circulator; a fluid leak sensor which is adapted to detect leakage of fluid from the hollow body organ; and a controller, wherein the heating apparatus and the leak sensor are coupled to the controller to control operation of the heating apparatus and the leak sensor.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 74 words

A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the system comprising: a heating apparatus comprising an elongate body, at least one heating element and a fluid circulator; a fluid leak sensor which is adapted to detect leakage of fluid from the hollow body organ; and a controller, wherein the heating apparatus and the leak sensor are coupled to the controller to control operation of the heating apparatus and the leak sensor.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system as in claim 38, wherein the leak sensor comprises a flow sensor for detecting a change of volume of the liquid within the hollow body organ.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system as in claim 39, wherein the controller is configured to stop operation of the heating apparatus when the flow sensor senses a predetermined change of volume within the hollow body organ.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system as in claim 38, wherein the heating apparatus further includes a drive unit to rotate the fluid circulator, and wherein the controller includes a power supply to supply power to the drive unit.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system as in claim 38, wherein the heating element comprises a pair of electrodes, and wherein the controller includes a radio frequency power supply to supply power to the electrodes.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 51 words

The system as in claim 42, wherein the heating apparatus further includes a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the fluid within the hollow body organ, and wherein the controller includes a regulator to regulate the supply of radio frequency current supplied to the electrode based on the sensed temperatures.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system as in claim 38, wherein the controller further includes a timer.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system as in claim 38, wherein the controller further includes a drive unit monitor to monitor operating conditions of the drive unit.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 65 words

A thermal ablation device for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the device comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; a first electrode operably attached to the elongate member near the distal end; and a fluid circulator operably attached to the elongate member, wherein at least a portion of the fluid circulator is conductive and serves as a second electrode.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 65 words

A thermal ablation device for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the device comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; a first electrode operably attached to the elongate member near the distal end; and a fluid circulator operably attached to the elongate member, wherein at least a portion of the fluid circulator is conductive and serves as a second electrode.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device as in claim 46, wherein the fluid circulator comprises a rotatable drive shaft and an impeller.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device as in claim 47, wherein the drive shaft serves as the second electrode.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 14 words

The device as in claim 47, wherein the impeller serves as the second electrode.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-04-05	2002-10-05	2003-04-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-04-05	2006-10-05	2007-04-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-04-05	2010-10-05	2011-04-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System for direct heating of fluid solution in a hollow body organ and methods

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