Methods of ablating endometrial tissue are disclosed. The methods include providing an ablation device that has a catheter with a hollow shaft through which an ablative agent can travel, a first positioning element, and a second positioning element positioned on the catheter distal to the first positioning element. The second positioning element is a disc shaped wire mesh and has a diameter in a range of 0.1 mm to 10 cm.

An embryo replacement catheter has a flexible extruded shaft of a transparent polyurethane with a bore extending along its length. Gas bubbles of a diameter in the range 5 to 10 are incorporated into the thickness of the wall of the shaft by adding gas during extrusion. The bubbles are selected to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound imaging whilst still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen.

An instrument for fixedly transplanting a living body embryo into a uterus has an instrument, for transplanting the living body embryo into the uterus, which is to be inserted into a uterus and a magnetic embryo accommodation container holding instrument (transferred embryo fixing instrument) to be attached to the living body. The instrument for transplanting the living body embryo into the uterus has an embryo accommodation container having an embryo accommodation part having an embryo insertion portion communicating with outside and a magnetic material and a shaft-shaped container transfer tool for separably holding the embryo accommodation container at its distal end portion. The magnetic container holding instrument has an attaching part to be attached to an epidermis of the living body and a magnet capable of attracting the magnetic material of the embryo accommodation container thereto.

Disclosed herein are exemplary medical devices for controlled delivery of material compositions, particularly occlusive, therapeutic, or diagnostic compositions.

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.

Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled or room temperature fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session.

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 device may include a flexible tube comprising: a distal end, a proximal tip, the proximal tip comprising a suction line extension being configured for placement in a uterine cavity of a uterus after childbirth, a tube center of the flexible tube; and at least one lumen around the tube center, the at least one lumen comprising a suction line, the suction line being in communication with a source of negative pressure and the suction line extension, the suction line extension being configured for applying the negative pressure to the uterine cavity using the source of the negative pressure thereby causing mechanical hemostasis of bleeding blood vessels of a uterine wall of the uterine cavity. Embodiments include an anchoring mechanism being proximate to the suction line extension along the flexible tube, the anchoring mechanism being configured for maintaining the suction line extension in a desired position within the uterine cavity.

An elastic sheet for re-activating an endometrial basal layer in a uterine cavity comprises a silicone rubber and a drug, wherein the drug is encased inside the silicone rubber in the manner of a drug storage zone, or uniformly dispersed inside the silicone rubber, or carried by an outer surface of the silicone rubber as a coating, and the drug comprises an estrogen. A method for forming the elastic sheet with a drug in a matrix-type elastic sheet; or as a sustained release coating is provided. The estrogen is loaded on the silicone rubber, and thus the endometrial basal layer is continuously activated through drug stimulation, allowing for the endometrial basal layer to re-proliferate the functional layers, thereby restoring the normal endometrial structure and completely preventing adhesions.

Methods and devices are described for performing a combined hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. Techniques for improving visual images include forward facing fluid ports for clearing tissue debris and LED positioning and design. Manufacturability is improved through separately formed tip and shaft pieces. User interface features are described including user-friendly handle-mounted buttons as well the use of an interactive integrated touch screen display. The handle and display can be mated to a docking station for storage and recharging batteries.