ENDOMETRIAL BALLOON ABLATION CATHETER HAVING HEATER

摘要

A system for thermal ablation of endometrial tissue consisting of a distensible bladder (40), a catheter (20) containing one or more lumens to which the bladder (40) is attached, a heating element (120) located within the catheter, a catheter handle (50), and a control unit (200) detachably connected to the handle (50). The control unit (200) contains any necessary power supplies as well as temperature, fluid pressure, and other control and readout devices (210). The handle (50) and the catheter (20) serve as a conduit for the power supply, control (200) and readout devices (210). The handle (50) also contains a port (52) through which saline or other physiologically acceptable liquid may be introduced under pressure sufficient to inflate the bladder (40) to a desired pressure. The heating element (120) is located in the catheter (20) proximal to the bladder (40). The bladder (40) itself may be permanently attached to the catheter (20) or it may be designed to be removable.