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 method, comprising:
 creating a negative pressure in the interior chamber of a fluid tight ablation structure configured for endometrial ablation;   introducing transcervically an ablation structure into a patient's uterine cavity wherein the negative pressure maintains the structure in a collapsed condition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein creating the negative pressure collapses a frame in the interior chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein creating the negative pressure provides a bullet-shaped distal nose on the structure for facilitating transcervical introduction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein creating the negative pressure draws opposing frame tips into close proximity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein creating the negative pressure flexes first and second distal frame tips toward one another. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the negative pressure is at lower than −1 psi, lower than −2 psi, lower than −4 psi, lower than −6 psi or lower than −8 psi. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the negative pressure is controlled by a controller and pressurizing source configured to alter the pressure in the interior chamber between lower than −2 psi and higher that +0.5 psi. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising relieving the negative pressure, expanding the ablation structure, and delivering energy from the structure to ablate endometrial tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  wherein expanding the ablation structure includes at least in part expanding a frame. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2  wherein expanding the ablation structure includes at least in part introducing an inflation medium into the structure. 
     
     
         11 . An endometrial ablation device, comprising:
 an expandable ablation surface extending along a longitudinal axis; and   a flexible frame supporting the ablation surface, the frame having first and second distal frame tips and being actuatable between a linear frame-collapsed shape about the axis and a triangular frame-expanded shape with a first distal apex and a second distal apex spaced away from the axis;   wherein the first and second distal frame tips in the frame-collapsed position are angled inward toward the axis.   
     
     
         12 . The endometrial ablation device of  claim 11  wherein the angled-inward tips in the frame-collapsed shape are angled relative to the axis between 5° and 60°. 
     
     
         13 . The endometrial ablation device of  claim 11  wherein the angled-inward tips have a length ranging from 5 mm to 30 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The endometrial ablation device of  claim 11  further comprising a pressurization source capable of providing a negative pressure in an interior chamber of the expandable ablation surface. 
     
     
         15 . The endometrial ablation device of  claim 11  further comprising an RF source operatively coupled to at least one electrode carried by the ablation surface. 
     
     
         16 . The endometrial ablation device of  claim 14  further comprising an RF source operatively coupled to at least one electrode exposed to the interior chamber.