Medical system and method of use

Abstract

An instrument and method for applying thermal energy to targeted tissue. An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a vapor source comprising a pump configured for providing a flow of liquid media from a liquid media source into a vaporization chamber having a heating mechanism, actuating the pump to provide the liquid into the vaporization chamber, applying energy from the heating mechanism to convert a substantially water liquid media into a minimum water vapor level for causing an intended effect in tissue. For examples such levels can comprise at least 60% water vapor, at least 70% to water vapor, at least 80% water vapor or at least 90% water vapor for causing an intended effect in tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vapor therapy probe for ablating endometrial tissue in a uterus, comprising:
 a probe body adapted to deliver a condensable vapor from a vapor source through an inflow channel to the uterus;   a vapor exit port in a working end of the probe body; and   an expandable structure at the working end of the probe body adapted to be expanded within at least a portion of the uterus.   
     
     
         2 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the vapor exit port is at a distal end of the probe body. 
     
     
         3 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the expandable structure is disposed proximal to the vapor exit port. 
     
     
         4 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the vapor exit port extends through the probe body from the inflow channel. 
     
     
         5 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the vapor exit port extends through the expandable structure. 
     
     
         6 . The probe of  claim 1  further comprising a handle at a proximal end of the probe body. 
     
     
         7 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the expandable structure comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         8 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the probe further comprises an outflow passage. 
     
     
         9 . A method of ablating an endometrium of a uterus, the method comprising:
 inserting a probe working end through a cervix into the uterus, the probe comprising an expandable structure;   expanding the expandable structure within the uterus;   after the expanding step, delivering vapor from a vapor source to the uterus through the probe; and   condensing the vapor to thereby release heat of vaporization to ablate at least portions of the endometrium.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising maintaining a pressure in the uterus between 0.1 psi and 6 psi. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein expanding the expandable structure comprises expanding the expandable structure distal to a cervix of the uterus. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the expandable structure is a balloon, and where expanding the expandable structure comprises the expanding the balloon. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the delivering step comprises delivering the vapor through the expandable structure. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the vapor comprises water vapor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the delivering step comprises delivering the vapor to the uterus at a flow rate in a range of 0.001 ml/min to 20 ml/min. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the delivery step comprises delivering the vapor to the uterus at an inflow pressure in a range of 0.5 psi to 1000 psi. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the delivery step comprises delivering the vapor to the uterus for an interval in a range of 0.1 seconds to 600 seconds. 
     
     
         18 . A vapor therapy probe for ablating endometrial tissue in a uterus, comprising
 a probe body having a vapor inflow channel and   an expandable balloon disposed at a working end of the probe body, the balloon being adapted to be expanded within at least a portion of the uterus, the balloon comprising an interior chamber, the vapor inflow channel being adapted to deliver condensable vapor from a vapor source to the interior chamber, the probe body and balloon being sized and configured to be inserted through a cervix into the uterus.   
     
     
         19 . The probe of  claim 18  further comprising a handle at a proximal end of the probe body. 
     
     
         20 . The probe of  claim 18  wherein the balloon further comprises a vapor exit port communicating with the interior chamber. 
     
     
         21 . A method of ablating an endometrium of a uterus, the method comprising:
 inserting a probe working end through a cervix into the uterus, the probe comprising a balloon;   expanding the balloon within the uterus;   after the expanding step, delivering vapor from a vapor source to an interior chamber of the balloon; and   condensing the vapor to thereby release heat of vaporization to ablate at least portions of the endometrium.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising delivering vapor from the interior chamber to the uterus through an exit port in the balloon. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising maintaining a pressure in the uterus between 0.1 psi and 6 psi. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the vapor comprises water vapor. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the delivering step comprises delivering the vapor at a flow rate in a range of 0.001 ml/min to 20 ml/min. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the delivery step comprises delivering the vapor at an inflow pressure in a range of 0.5 psi to 1000 psi. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the delivery step comprises delivering the vapor for an interval in a range of 0.1 seconds to 600 seconds.