Patent ID: 7763033

Claim:
A method of preventing intravasation during an intrauterine procedure, comprising the steps of: transcervically accessing the uterus with an elongate tubular sheath; introducing a mechanical distension device through the sheath and into the uterus, while the mechanical distension device is in a retracted state; distending the uterus by expanding the mechanical distension device from the retracted state into an expanded state so as to distend the uterus and expose a site; introducing a surgical device while the mechanical distension device remains within the uterus in the expanded state; and performing a surgical procedure at the site with the surgical device and with the mechanical distension device in the expanded state within the uterus, wherein the mechanical distension device comprises an inflatable device, wherein the step of introducing the mechanical distension device into the uterus while the mechanical distension device is in a refracted state comprises introducing the mechanical distension device into the uterus with the inflatable device in a deflated state.