System and method for endometrial ablation

Abstract

Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO 2 ) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endometrial ablation device, comprising:
 a probe working end having an expandable dielectric with an ablation surface configured for expansion in a patient's uterine cavity;   a negative pressure source operatively coupled to a interior chamber of the expandable dielectric;   a positive pressure source operatively coupled to the interior chamber for introducing a gas therein; and   at least one electrode carried by the working end.   
     
     
         2 . The endometrial ablation device of  claim 1  further comprising a controller capable of differentially controlling the positive and negative pressure sources to provide a pressure in the interior chamber between −10 psig and +10 psig. 
     
     
         3 . The endometrial ablation device of  claim 1  wherein the positive pressure source to provides an inflow of a neutral gas. 
     
     
         4 . The endometrial ablation device of  claim 3  wherein the neutral gas is argon. 
     
     
         5 . The endometrial ablation device of  claim 2  further comprising an RF source operatively coupled to the at least one electrode and wherein the controller is capable of controlling voltage between 10 volts and 300 volts.