Apparatus for medical treatment

Abstract

An apparatus for effecting hyperthermia in a narrow body cavity or duct including: a disposable first part (1) having an elongate distal section (5) intended to be inserted into the cavity or duct having a centrally located, heat-releasing element (22), which is either surrounded by an elongate housing (24) or is itself constituted by an elongate housing, and a flexible and / or elastic enclosure (23) surrounding the housing in a liquid-tight manner, further including a device for supplying energy to the heat-releasing element (22) and an axially operating first inlet (135) at the proximal part of the housing, an outlet (133) from the housing being arranged for the supply of heat-transmitting medium under pressure for expansion of the flexible enclosure (23) to accommodate and to exert a controlled pressure on surrounding walls of the cavity or duct, a second inlet (131) to the housing (24), and medium-actuating device (13, 19) for the expansion of the flexible enclosure (23) and for internal circulation of the medium through the housing (24); and a permanent non-disposable second part (51) having a drive (55, 75) for the device (13, 19) for expansion and for internal circulation, and a connection (43, 59; 41, 81) for releasably interconnecting the drive (55, 75) and the device means (13, 19) for expansion and internal circulation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to an apparatus for effecting hyperthermia in a narrow body cavity or duct. The invention is especially applicable to the treatment of the endometrium of the uterus. The treatment resides in a combination of the supply of heat to said body cavity or duct and simultaneous application of a controlled pressure on surrounding tissue.2. Background ArtIn the treatment of certain disorders in narrow body cavities or ducts the supply of heat is frequently used, the treatment residing in so called hyperthermia. For use in such treatment several apparatuses have been described including a special catheter employing a balloon attached to the distal end of the catheter. In the treatment of for example menorrhagia the distal end of the catheter including the balloon is inserted into the uterus cavity via vagina and cervix, the balloon being .[.them.]. .Iadd.then .Iaddend.expanded using a pressure medium up to a sui...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Yet another object of the invention is to eliminate the risk for contamination and transfer of infection at a low cost for each treatment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system through which excessive pressures hazardous to the patient can be avoided.

It is particularly preferred that said first means for the expansion of the flexible enclosure by introduction of heat-transmitting medium thereto is capable also of bringing the enclosure into a collapsed condition enabling withdrawal of the instrument from the body cavity or duct.

Said means for expansion and for internal circulation can be either constituted by two different syringes separately operable for expansion on the one hand and for internal circulation on the other hand. As an alternative one and the same syringe can be used for providing both expansion and internal circulation, thus simplifying the construction.

Problems solved by technology

Such cleaning and sterilization is a very complicated and expensive procedure.

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