An everting balloon system is disclosed that can be used for biopsy within a body of a patient or animal. The everting balloon system can be used to access a bodily cavity or vessel for tissue specimen collection at specific bodily locations. The everting catheter system described simplifies the process of tissue biopsy.

Uterine lavage devices and methods are described. A uterine lavage catheter device for recovering oocytes or blastocysts from a human uterus may include a seal element configured to provide a sealing surface against the exterior cervical ostium, a supply lumen extending from the seal element and configured to supply lavage fluid, a nozzle configured to generate a spray pattern, and a return lumen.

Apparatus for delivering a therapeutic agent to a uterine cavity including an elongated member having a fluid channel for passage of the therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity, a dispensing member extending distally of the elongated member and having at least one perforation for passage of the therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity into contact with the endometrium. An infusion line is in communication with the fluid channel for passage of a fluid into the uterine cavity to assess leakage to determine integrity of the uterine cavity prior to passage of the therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity.

The invention encompasses improved catheters comprised of multiple tubular bodies and methods of using them in artificial insemination.

A dilator includes a tubular member composed of a flexible material, the tubular member forming a channel; wires extending inwardly from an interior of the tubular member into the channel; a string attached to the wires and extending through the channel; and a handle attached to the string; pulling the handle applies force to the string; force to the string causes the string to disengage from the wires such that the wires recoil against the interior of the tubular member such that the tubular member takes on a diameter of a predetermined dimension; and the tubular member in a recoiled state provides for dilation of a canal.

A foot operated traction device for allowing a pregnant woman to selectively self-induce dilatation of her cervix via her foot and a method for doing the same, the device comprising a balloon catheter comprising an inflatable balloon insertable above the cervix of the pregnant woman and an elongate catheter tube comprising a catheter tube proximal end portion and a catheter tube distal end portion coaxially mounted to the inflatable balloon, the inflatable balloon inflatable with a fluid to apply dilatative pressure against the cervix, and an elongate stirrup connected to the catheter tube at the catheter tube proximal end at a stirrup proximal end and removably engageable with the foot of the pregnant woman at a stirrup distal end, wherein the stirrup distal end is movable by the movement of the foot to selectively vary a traction force of the inflatable balloon.

A collection system for collecting outflow from a hysteroscopic surgical procedure includes a plurality of collection vessels each including a flexible body defining an internal volume and transitionable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The collection system further includes connection tubing coupling adjacent collection vessels with one another, outflow tubing coupled to at least one of the collection vessels, and a plurality of retention canisters. Each retention canister includes a rigid body. Each collection vessel is configured to engage a corresponding retention canister such that each rigid body at least partially receives one of the flexible bodies therein.

A method of ablating a target body tissue, such as uterine endometrial lining tissue, includes applying an agent comprising HAuCl.sub.4 to the target body tissue, wherein the HAuCl.sub.4 has a molecular size greater than 50 microns, and removing the agent comprising HAuCl.sub.4 from the target tissue after ablation of the target tissue begins.

A system includes an endoscope configured for insertion into an internal body cavity and a fluid management system. The fluid management system includes a pump configured to pump fluid through the endoscope into the internal body cavity and a controller configured to determine a pressure within the internal body cavity based upon a current feedback signal received from the pump. A method includes supplying a drive signal to a pump to pump fluid into an internal body cavity, receiving a current feedback signal from the pump, and determining a pressure within the internal body cavity based on the current feedback signal.

Apparatus for delivering a therapeutic agent to a uterine cavity including an elongated member having a fluid channel for passage of the therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity, a dispensing member extending distally of the elongated member and having at least one perforation for passage of the therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity into contact with the endometrium. An infusion line is in communication with the fluid channel for passage of a fluid into the uterine cavity to assess leakage to determine integrity of the uterine cavity prior to passage of the therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity.