Deployable constrictor for uterine artery occlusion

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for occluding blood vessels include a deployable constrictor having opposed pressure-applying portions, a delivery shaft configured to intravaginally advance the constrictor to the patient's cervix, a location sensor configured to detect a blood vessel, a deployment member for deploying the constrictor about the patient's cervix, and optionally a guide. The constrictor has a first configuration to receive a cervix and a second configuration to apply pressure to the cervical area to occlude a uterine artery by compression from the pressure-applying members. The pressure-applying members may be released from the cervix after a limited therapeutically effective time. The invention finds use in, for example, treating uterine disorders and conditions which may be treated by occlusion of the uterine arteries, such as uterine fibroids, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, post-partum hemorrhage, and bleeding associated with caesarian sections.

1 . A uterine artery occlusion device, comprising: 
 a deployable constrictor configured to receive a female patient's cervix and having at least one pressure-applying portion having a pressure-applying surface configured to apply pressure to a cervix or a uterus and thereby occlude at least one of the patient's uterine arteries;    an elongated delivery shaft configured to intravaginally advance said constrictor to the patient's cervix;    a deployment member configured to deploy said constrictor from said delivery shaft and constrict about the cervix or uterus to occlude at least one of the patient's uterine arteries; and    at least one locating sensor provided on a distal portion of the device configured to detect a blood vessel.    
   
   
       2 - 43 . (canceled)  
   
   
       44 . A deployable constrictor for a uterine artery occlusion device, comprising a resilient wireform which has a plurality of distally extending loops, which has an expanded configuration configured to be deployed about the patient's uterine cervix and a contracted configuration configured to apply sufficient pressure to the cervix or the patient's vaginal fornix to occlude at least one of the patient's uterine arteries and which has at least one locating sensor provided on a forward edge of one of the distally extending loops configured to detect the patient's uterine arteries.  
   
   
       45 . The deployable constrictor of  claim 44 , wherein said locating sensor comprises a Doppler ultrasound sensor.  
   
   
       46 . The deployable constrictor of  claim 44 , wherein at least one locating sensor is disposed on a leading edge of each of the distally extending loops.  
   
   
       47 . The deployable constrictor of  claim 44 , wherein at least one locating sensor is disposed on a pressure-applying portion of one of the distally extending loops.  
   
   
       48 . The deployable constrictor of  claim 44 , wherein the deployable constrictor comprises a continuous wireform in a double loop configuration.  
   
   
       49 . The deployable constrictor of  claim 44 , wherein the distally extending loops have loop length oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       50 . The deployable constrictor of  claim 44 , wherein at least one of the loops has a loop length of between about 0.5 inch and about 2 inch.  
   
   
       51 . The deployable constrictor of  claim 44 , wherein at least one of the loops has a loop length of between about 0.75 inch and about 1.5 inch.  
   
   
       52 . The deployable constrictor of  claim 44 , wherein the sensor has a sensing direction that is substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction to facilitate detection of the patient's uterine arteries.  
   
   
       53 . The deployable constrictor of  claim 44  wherein a cinching mechanism is deployed about the plurality of distally extending loops to place the loops in a contracted configuration.  
   
   
       54 . A deployable constrictor for a uterine artery occlusion device, comprising a resilient wireform which is in the form of a helix, which has an expanded configuration configured to be deployed about the patient's uterine cervix and a contracted configuration configured to apply sufficient pressure to the cervix or the patient's vaginal fornix to occlude at least one of the patient's uterine arteries and which has at least one locating sensor provided on a forward edge of the helix configured to detect the patient's uterine arteries.