Systems and methods for treating uterine atony

Abstract

A system for treating uterine atony, and promoting contraction of a uterus includes a heat transference article having a chilled surface in contact with an inner or outer surface of the uterus for a length of time sufficient to promote contraction while avoiding tissue damage. A heat transference medium such as a chilled saline solution, or cold gel in introduced to the article by injection, pre-filling, immersion or other suitable means, and is circulating or non-circulating.

1 . A heat transference article comprising:
 a lobate wrap configured to envelope portions of an externalized uterus; the wrap includes a surface configured contact the outer surface of a uterus, the surface of the wrap is chill-able to a temperature sufficient to promote contraction of an atonic uterus, and, a region within the wrap is configured to retain a chilled medium.   
     
     
         2 . The heat transference article according to  claim 1  further comprising temperature reducing component selected from at least one of the following: an ice bath, a refrigeration unit, a fluid pump. 
     
     
         3 . The heat transference article according to  claim 1  wherein the lobate wrap is tensionable. 
     
     
         4 . The heat transference article according to  claim 1  further comprising an insulating layer adjacent the region configured to retain the chilled medium. 
     
     
         5 . A method for inducing a uterus to contract in case of postpartum hemorrhage comprising the steps of:
 providing a lobate heat transference article with at least one chill-able surface, the chill-able surface of the lobate heat transference article is conformable around an externalized uterus, the chill-able surface is chill-able to a temperature sufficient to promote contraction of the externalized uterus;   wrapping the externalized uterus in the lobate heat transference article;   assessing contractility of the uterine muscle;   timing exposure of the uterine tissue to the contacting surface of the lobate heat transference article;   removing the lobate heat transference article once self sustaining contractions of the uterine muscle are evident.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  further comprising a temperature reduction step including temperature reduction means selected from at least one of the following: an ice bath, a refrigeration unit, a fluid pump. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the lobate heat transference article is tensionable around the externalized uterus. 
     
     
         8 . A heat transference article, comprising:
 a delivery body for at least one chilled medium which is conformable to a surface of the uterus further comprising:   at least one chill-able contacting surface defining a support for the chilled medium maintainable at a temperature sufficient to promote contraction of an atonic uterus, and a region for the retention of the chilled medium;   at least one funnel-shaped annulus includes a flared opening that opens exteriorly to the delivery body and is contiguous with an outer surface of the delivery body, the flared opening tapers to a narrowed conduit wherein an outer surface of the narrowed conduit resides inside the delivery body, and the at least one funnel shaped annulus is configured to face the surface of the uterus;   at least one inlet tube for the introduction of fluids into the delivery body, and a drain tube contiguous with the narrowed conduit for the evacuation of waste fluids gathered from outside the delivery body via the at least one funnel shaped annulus; and,   a chill-able bladder configured for insertion into a vaginal cavity, the bladder includes a passageway through which the drain tube is disposed.   
     
     
         9 . The article according to  claim 8 , in which chilling of the medium is by a process selected from at least one of the following: refrigeration, endothermic chemical reaction, contact with a cold medium, immersion in a cold medium. 
     
     
         10 . The heat transference article according to  claim 8  including at least one lobe. 
     
     
         11 . The chill-able bladder configured for insertion into a vaginal cavity according to  claim 8  further configured to move linearly along a conduit.