Endometrial Ablation Instrument Using Thermal Transfer Medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for abnormal uterine bleeding, such as hysterectomy and global endometrial ablation, are invasive or lack effectiveness in treating uterine abnormalities, particularly in cases where the endometrium is not adequately covered.

Innovation Solution

An instrument with a distal portion configured to deliver a thermal transfer medium, such as cryogenic fluids or particles, directly to the uterine wall to produce a tissue effect, including a nozzle for delivery and optional fallopian tube protection, with controlled flow and temperature management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If global endometrial ablation is used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding, then the procedure is less invasive than hysterectomy, but the endometrium may not be adequately covered in cases of uterine abnormalities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinvasiveness of procedureVSAvoidcoverage of endometrium

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical ablation methods with a thermal transfer medium delivery system. The instrument uses a nozzle to deliver thermal transfer medium (such as liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic fluids) directly to the endometrium, substituting mechanical contact-based ablation with a fluid-mediated thermal transfer process that can better conform to uterine abnormalities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal transfer medium acts as an intermediary between the instrument and the endometrium. This medium can be delivered through the nozzle and allows for controlled thermal energy transfer to the target tissue, enabling effective ablation while maintaining a less invasive procedure compared to direct mechanical or surgical intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If thermal transfer medium is delivered directly to the target treatment site, then complete coverage of the endometrium is achieved, but tissue damage may occur if thermal transfer is not controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of endometriumVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument enables control of thermal transfer parameters including temperature, flow rate, and exposure time of the thermal transfer medium. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves complete endometrial coverage while minimizing excessive tissue damage through precise thermal energy delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and control the thermal transfer process. This allows real-time adjustment of the thermal transfer medium delivery to ensure complete coverage is achieved while preventing overheating or excessive tissue damage, maintaining the balance between efficacy and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If a nozzle is used to deliver thermal transfer medium, then precise delivery to the target site is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery precisionVSAvoidinstrument structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument is divided into distinct functional segments including the nozzle assembly, delivery catheter, and control system. This segmentation allows the nozzle to be optimized for precise thermal transfer medium delivery while the overall system complexity is managed through modular design, enabling precise delivery without excessive overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The instrument effectively ablates the endometrium, preventing menstrual bleeding by ensuring complete coverage even in uterine abnormalities, with controlled thermal transfer to minimize tissue damage and improve treatment outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

The distal portion delivers the thermal transfer medium toward the target treatment site, and thereby produce the tissue effect at or near the uterine wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The instrument effectively ablates the endometrium, preventing menstrual bleeding by ensuring complete coverage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAblation: Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3785652B1Instrument for producing tissue effects at or near an endometrium

Publication Date: 2026.04.08 GYRUS ACMI INC

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AI summary

An instrument for producing a tissue effect at or near a uterine wall includes a distal portion configured for receiving a thermal transfer medium. The distal portion being configured to be in fluid communication with at least a portion of a target treatment site, the target treatment site being at or near the uterine wall. The distal portion delivers the thermal transfer medium toward the target treatment site, and thereby produce the tissue effect at or near the uterine wall.