Patent ID: 8277379

Claim:
A system for treating endometrial tissue in a female patient using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy, comprising: a HIFU transducer that is configured to emit HIFU energy toward targeted endometrial tissue at a treatment site within the cervix and/or uterus of the patient; an imaging component configured to image a portion of the patient's cervix and/or uterus that includes the treatment site to help guide the delivery of the HIFU energy; a liquid medium having particles or microbubbles therein that are configured to interact with the HIFU energy at the treatment site to enhance the therapeutic effects of the HIFU energy; and a transport line adapted for insertion through the vagina, which is capable of infusing the liquid medium in the endocervical canal and/or uterine cavity during imaging and delivery of the HIFU energy to the treatment site; wherein the HIFU transducer is configured to ablate the targeted tissue at or near its focus, the location of which can be controlled in response to images obtained by the imaging component.