Systems and methods for endometrial ablation

Abstract

Methods, systems and devices for endometrial ablation. In accordance with a method, a working end of an RF ablation device is positioned in a patient uterus to contact endometrial tissue, the working end comprising a dielectric wall capable of non-expanded and expanded shapes. An indicator mechanism is operatively coupled to the wall and configured to indicate non-expanded and expanded shapes of the wall. An expandable member, such as a balloon, is provided that expands to close the cervical canal during ablation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for treating uterine tissue, comprising:
 an expandable RF energy delivery surface for positioning in a uterine cavity;   an RF source configured to deliver current across the surface; and   an expandable member disposed adjacent the energy delivery surface and configured for positioning in and expanding in a cervical canal.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member comprises an inflatable balloon. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon has a complaint wall. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon has a non-complaint wall. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon has a longitudinal axis, and further comprising at least one longitudinal constraining element for constraining an expanded shape of the balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon is elongated, and further comprising a constraining element extending a substantial length of the balloon in an expanded shape. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon is carried concentrically around a portion of a support member carrying the RF energy delivery surface, and further comprising a constraint in the balloon for maintaining the balloon when expanded in use in a symmetric configuration around the support member. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon has a longitudinal axis, and further comprising at least two longitudinal inflation chambers. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least two longitudinal inflation chambers are separately expandable. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a manually operable inflation source in fluid communication with an inflation chamber of the balloon. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a controller operated inflation source in fluid communication with an inflation chamber of the balloon. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising an indicator mechanism for indicating a leak in the balloon. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the indicator mechanism comprises at least one of a pressure sensor and a flow sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the indicator mechanism is coupled to a controller and a leak in the balloon disables the RF source to prevent the delivery of RF current to the energy delivery surface. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member comprises a mechanically expandable structure. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two longitudinal inflation chambers are separately expandable. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery surface comprises a wall surrounding an interior chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the wall comprises at least partly a dielectric. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the wall comprises an electrode. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the interior chamber is fluid-tight. 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating uterine tissue, comprising:
 expanding a RF energy delivery surface within a patient's uterine cavity;   expanding an expandable member in the patient's cervical canal; and   activating an RF source configured to deliver current across the surface to ablate endometrial tissue.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein expanding the RF energy delivery surface comprises expanding a frame supporting the surface. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein expanding the expandable member comprises inflating the member. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein expanding the expandable member comprises inflating and circulating a fluid through the member. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further including monitoring the expanded condition of the expandable member. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein monitoring comprises sensing pressure of a fluid within the expandable member. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein monitoring comprises sensing a flow of a fluid within the expandable member. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising disabling an electrosurgical energy source operatively coupled to the RF energy delivery surface if monitoring detects a leak in the expandable member.