Abstract: A device useful for ligating an anatomical structure, e.g., a uterine artery, includes a crochet hook-like shaft, and tubular filament holder, and a housing that includes a thumb-slide attached to the shaft. After inserting the filament holder into tissue adjacent to the artery, the shaft is inserted to a point next to the holder, and a hook on the end of the shaft is used to snare the filament and pull it around the artery. The filament can then be tied down, ligating the artery.

Abstract: A device useful for ligating an anatomical structure, e.g., a uterine artery, includes a crochet hook-like shaft, and tubular filament holder, and a housing that includes a thumb-slide attached to the shaft. After inserting the filament holder into tissue adjacent to the artery, the shaft is inserted to a point next to the holder, and a hook on the end of the shaft is used to snare the filament and pull it around the artery. The filament can then be tied down, ligating the artery.

Abstract: A method and device for treating a female patient's uterine disorder by occluding one or both of the patient's uterine artery. The treatment involves occluding one or both of the patient's uterine arteries with an intravaginal device to form a thrombus within the occluded artery or arteries and administering an agent which will prolong the occlusion of the artery or arteries after removal of the occluding device or initiate or accelerate fibroid cell apoptosis (programmed cell death). The intravaginal device has a pair of pivotally connected occluding members, with at least one of the occluding member having a movable occluding element on a distal shaft section of the occluding member.

Abstract: An occluding device is disclosed for occluding a female patient's uterine arteries which have unsymmetrical anatomy with respect to the patient's uterine cervix. The occluding device has a pair of pivotally connected occluding members, with at least one of the occluding member having a movable occluding element on a distal shaft section of the occluding member. The position and orientation of the occluding elements on the distal shaft sections may be adjusted by operative members on the proximal shaft sections of the occluding members to accommodate for asymmetrical uterine artery anatomy. The occluding elements have pressure applying surfaces with one or more blood flow sensors such as Doppler chips which help the physician to better identify the uterine artery and to monitor blood flow therein. A tenaculum-like guiding element configured to be secured within the patient's uterine cervix, may be provided to guide the occluding device to the patient's cervix.

Abstract: The invention is directed to tenaculum-like devices and systems for the intravaginal delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic devices and particularly for occluding a female patient's uterine arteries in order to treat uterine disorders. Included are methods for grasping, manipulating and retaining tissue. The tenaculum-type device has a distal portion with a sound configured to enter a cervical os without causing undue trauma or discomfort to the patient, and a retention or tissue grasping mechanism with a grasping element such as a spike configured to engage and retain a patient's cervix. The tenaculum-type devices embodying features of the invention may have an expandable distal tip to more securely be engaged within the patient's uterine cervical canal.

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.

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 constrictor is for 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.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and device for treating a female patient's uterine disorder by occluding one or both of the patient's uterine artery. The treatment embodying features of the invention basically involves occluding one or both of the patient's uterine arteries with an intravaginal device to form a thrombus within the occluded artery or arteries and administering an agent which will prolong the occlusion of the artery or arteries after removal of the occluding device or initiate or accelerate fibroid cell apoptosis (programmed cell death). The intravaginal device has a pair of pivotally connected occluding members, with at least one of the occluding member having a movable occluding element on a distal shaft section of the occluding member.

Abstract: An occluding device is disclosed for occluding a female patient's uterine arteries which have unsymmetrical anatomy with respect to the patient's uterine cervix. The occluding device has a pair of pivotally connected occluding members, with at least one of the occluding member having a movable occluding element on a distal shaft section of the occluding member. The position and orientation of the occluding elements on the distal shaft sections may be adjusted by operative members on the proximal shaft sections of the occluding members to accommodate for asymmetrical uterine artery anatomy. The occluding elements have pressure applying surfaces with one or more blood flow sensors such as Doppler chips which help the physician to better identify the uterine artery and to monitor blood flow therein. A tenaculum-like guiding element configured to be secured within the patient's uterine cervix, may be provided to guide the occluding device to the patient's cervix.

Abstract: The invention is directed to tenaculum-like devices and systems for the intravaginal delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic devices and particularly for occluding a female patient's uterine arteries in order to treat uterine disorders. Included are methods for grasping, manipulating and retaining tissue. The tenaculum-type device has a distal portion with a sound configured to enter a cervical os without causing undue trauma or discomfort to the patient, and a retention or tissue grasping mechanism with a grasping element such as a spike configured to engage and retain a patient's cervix. The tenaculum-type devices embodying features of the invention may have an expandable distal tip to more securely be engaged within the patient's uterine cervical canal.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for grasping, manipulating and retaining tissue are provided. In different aspects, devices, systems and methods for locating tissue; for guiding instruments to tissue; for grasping tissue; and for retaining and manipulating tissue are provided. Such tissue may include the cervix of a female patient. A device may have a distal portion having a sound configured to enter a cervical os without causing undue trauma or discomfort to the patient, and a retention element such as a spike configured to engage and retain a patient's cervix. Devices may include a proximal portion, such as a handle. Devices may be configured to co-operate with other instruments. Cooperation with other instruments may include serving as a mount for instruments and guiding instruments. Such devices may aid in the placement and operation of instruments for therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, such as, for example, treating uterine disorders and conditions.

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.