Patent ID: 6451012
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of performing endometrial ablation, comprising:providing a cryosurgical apparatus, including: a cryosurgical probe having a heat transfer element; and a refrigeration system adapted to deliver a refrigerant to the probe, and adapted to expand the refrigerant adjacent to the heat transfer element; inserting the cryosurgical probe into a cryosurgical sheath such that a thermally conductive portion of the sheath covers the heat transfer element of the probe with a thermally conductive medium interposed between the heat transfer element of the probe and the thermally conductive portion of the sheath; advancing the cryosurgical probe and sheath through the cervical os and angling the probe toward a first one of the left and right cornu; freezing with the cryosurgical probe for a first period of 3 to 7 minutes; monitoring the first freezing process with ultra-sound; heating so as to disengage the cryosurgical probe from any ice ball that may have formed thereon during the first freezing process; repositioning the cryosurgical probe toward a second one of the left and right cornu; freezing with the cryosurgical probe for a second period of 3 to 7 minutes; and monitoring the second freezing process with ultra-sound.