Methods for minimally invasive, non-permanent occlusion of a uterine artery

Abstract

A method of treating a uterine disorder comprising non-permanently occluding a uterine artery with a resorbable embolic mass for a therapeutically effective time period. The occluding step includes selectively positioning the resorbable embolic mass within the uterine artery, and monitoring positioning of the resorbable embolic mass at a desired location within the uterine artery. The monitoring step may include using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for positioning the resorbable embolic mass at the desired location within the uterine artery. The resorbable embolic mass may be swellable and may be formed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyethylene glycol, or copolymers thereof.

1 . A method of treating a uterine disorder comprising non-permanently occluding a uterine artery with a resorbable embolic mass for a therapeutically effective time period. 
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the occluding step comprises selectively positioning said resorbable embolic mass within said uterine artery. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring positioning of said resorbable embolic mass at a desired location within said uterine artery. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the monitoring step comprises using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for positioning said resorbable embolic mass at the desired location within said uterine artery. 
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 after the non-permanently occluding step, re-establishing blood flow through said uterine artery; and   after the re-establishing step, monitoring blood flow through said uterine artery.   
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said resorbable embolic mass is formed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyethylene glycol, or copolymers thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said resorbable embolic mass comprises a swellable material. 
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the non-permanently occluding step comprises bilateral occlusion of two uterine arteries. 
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective time period is about one (1) day up to about seven (7) days. 
   
   
       10 . A method of treating a uterine disorder comprising:
 providing a resorbable embolic mass; and   introducing said resorbable embolic mass into a uterine artery to temporarily occlude at least a portion of said uterine artery.   
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the introducing step comprises injecting said resorbable embolic mass into said uterine artery. 
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the introducing step comprises angiographically introducing said resorbable embolic mass into said uterine artery. 
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the introducing step comprises:
 disposing a catheter at a desired location within said uterine artery; and   injecting said resorbable embolic material through said catheter and into said uterine artery to temporarily occlude said uterine artery for a therapeutically effective time period.   
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for controlling positioning of said resorbable embolic mass within said uterine artery. 
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 disposing a catheter at a desired location within a second uterine artery; and   injecting a second resorbable embolic mass through said catheter and into said second uterine artery to temporarily occlude said second uterine artery for a therapeutically effective time period.   
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said resorbable embolic mass comprises a material selected from the group consisting of gelatin, a copolymer, a copolymer of polyglycolic acid and polyethylene glycol, polyglycolic acid, polyethylene glycol, crosslinked hyaluronic acid, and biodegradable biocompatible polymers. 
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said resorbable embolic mass is swellable in said uterine artery to temporarily occlude said uterine artery. 
   
   
       18 . A method of treating a uterine disorder comprising temporarily occluding one or more uterine arteries with one or more masses of a resorbable embolic material for a therapeutically effective time period. 
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said one or more resorbable embolic masses are swellable. 
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said one or more resorbable embolic masses are made of a material selected from the group consisting of gelatin, copolymers, polyglycolic acid, polyethylene glycol, crosslinked hyaluronic acid, and biodegradable biocompatible polymers.