Patent ID: 9333111
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: A61B,A61F

Claim Text:
1. An intrauterine ablation device, comprising: an elongate tubular member configured for transcervical insertion; an elongate central member slidably disposed within the elongate tubular member, the elongate central member comprising a distal bumper; and an energy applicator operatively coupled to the elongate tubular member, the energy applicator comprising a tissue contacting member, and an expandable-collapsible support structure underlying the tissue contacting member, the expandable-collapsible support structure comprising a first flexure having a first flexure distal tip and a second flexure having a second flexure distal tip, wherein the first and second flexures are adjustable between a collapsed configuration, in which the first and second flexure distal tips are closely apposed to the elongate central member and disposed proximally of and adjacent to the distal bumper, and an expanded configuration in which the first and second flexure distal tips extend laterally in opposite directions away from the elongate central member and the distal bumper; wherein the distal bumper has an insertion profile at least as large as an insertion profile of the expandable-collapsible support structure in the collapsed configuration, wherein the distal bumper is distal to the first and second flexure distal tips in the collapsed configuration and is configured to contact a fundal wall of the uterus upon distal advancement of the elongate central member relative to the elongate tubular member within the uterus to thereby prevent the first and second flexure distal tips from engaging the fundal wall during transition of the expandable-collapsible support structure from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, and wherein the elongate central member and the expandable-collapsible support structure are configured to move relative to each other along a longitudinal direction of the elongate central member so as to change a position of the distal bumper relative to the first and second flexure distal tips.