Methods for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity

Abstract

Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO.sub.2) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate. If the flow rate drops to zero or close to zero, this indicates that the uterine cavity is intact and not perforated. If the flow rate does not drop to zero or close to zero, this indicates that a fluid flow is leaking through a perforation in the uterine cavity into the uterine cavity or escaping around an occlusion balloon that occludes the cervical canal.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for evaluating a patient's uterus comprising:
 introducing a probe through a cervical canal into a uterine cavity of the patient;   expanding an expandable fluid-tight wall carried by the probe;   introducing a flow of a fluid into the uterine cavity through an open termination of a passageway in the probe, wherein the fluid comprises a gas, and   measuring a flow rate of the fluid being introduced, wherein a measured flow rate which drops to a level, below a predetermined minimum level indicates that the uterus is non-perforated.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the expanded fluid-tight wall is configured to contact tissue in the uterine cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the expanded fluid-tight wall is configured to contact tissue in the cervical canal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the expanding step expands first and second expandable fluid-tight walls carried by the probe. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second expandable fluid-tight walls are expanded independently. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising generating a signal responsive to the flow rate not dropping or dropping below the predetermined level to thereby characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined level is 0.05 slpm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein measuring, comprises measuring the flow rate over a predetermined first time interval after initiation of the flow. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first time interval is in a range from 1 second to 60 seconds. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising, responsive to the uterine cavity being characterized as non-perforated, automatically delivering energy to the uterine cavity with the probe. 
     
     
         12 . A method for evaluating a patient's uterus, comprising:
 introducing a distal portion of an energy delivery device into a cervical canal and uterine cavity;   sealing the uterine cavity;   introducing a flow of a fluid outwardly from the distal portion of the device into the uterine cavity; and   measuring a flow rate of the fluid being introduced, wherein a measured flow rate which drops to a level below a predetermined minimum level indicates that the wall of the uterine cavity is non-perforated.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid is a gas. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein sealing comprises expanding a fluid-tight expandable structure to occupy at least a portion of the cervical canal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the structure is expanded to contact tissue in the cervical canal of the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising generating to signal, responsive to the flow rate, that characterizes the uterine cavity as at least one of perforated or non-perforated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined level is 0.05 slpm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein measuring comprises measuring the flow rate over a predetermined first time interval after initiation of the flow. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, responsive to the uterine cavity being characterized as perforated, disabling activation of the energy delivery device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, responsive to the uterine cavity being characterized as non-perforated, automatically activating the energy delivery device.