Abstract: A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device includes a pair of pressure-applying members with opposed tissue-contacting surfaces, a supporting shaft configured to adjust the distance between tissue-contacting surfaces, and at least one sensor for locating a blood vessel disposed on at least one pressure-applying member. Blood vessels may be occluded by indirectly compressing the artery by compressing tissue near to an artery. The occlusion device finds use in, for example, treating uterine disorders and conditions which may be treated by occlusion of the uterine arteries. A uterine artery may be accessed via a body cavity, such as a patient's vagina, and may be occluded by compressing a portion of the vaginal wall around a portion of a uterine 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: Devices and methods are disclosed for treating a uterine disorder which receive its blood supply from a uterine artery. In particular, uterine fibroids are effectively treated by occluding the uterine arteries using trans-vaginal, trans-uterine, transrectal, or retroperitoneal approaches. The devices and methods are advantageous because the inventive procedures may be performed by a patient's gynecologist in the course of treatment, avoiding the need for referrals to specialist practitioners and for more radical treatments, such as hysterectomies. The methods include both temporary and permanent occlusion of the arteries. A cannula carries an imaging device and a member which will easily penetrate tissue, the member including a device which partially or completely, and temporarily or permanently, occludes a uterine artery.

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 provides devices, systems and methods for clamping arteries which are useful in reducing or abolishing blood flow in an artery, and may be used to control hemorrhage following a caesarian delivery. A clamping device embodying features of the invention includes a pair of clamping members with opposed pressure-applying members having facing pressure-applying surfaces, at least one of which is a yieldable pressure-applying surface. The yieldable pressure-applying surface is preferably resilient. The clamping members are configured to adjust the distance between pressure-applying surfaces, and a blood flow sensor is disposed on at least one of the pressure-applying members to aid in locating the target artery and also to monitor blood flow through the artery. The clamping device is particularly suitable for occluding uterine arteries by compressing the broad ligament which contains the uterine artery and which is connected to the patient's uterus with the arterial clamp.

Abstract: A compression and ligation device includes a pair of jaws including one or more Doppler chips oriented to send and receive Doppler signals across the jaws, to assist a practitioner in determining whether or not a uterine artery is between the jaws. A suture leader with an attached suture can be pushed through a channel on one of the jaws, through tissue behind the uterine artery, into another channel on the other jaw, and proximally out the device so that the practitioner can ligate the artery and effect hemostasis.

Abstract: A method for occluding a body lumen includes providing a clamping device having a pair of opposed pressure applying jaws, providing a sensor on one of the pressure applying jaws for sensing blood flow through a body lumen, and releasably securing a luminal clip between the pressure applying jaws. The method includes using the sensor for detecting blood flow through the body lumen for locating the body lumen, positioning the luminal clip adjacent the located body lumen, and closing the pressure applying jaws for clamping the luminal clip over the body lumen for at least partially occluding blood flow through the body lumen.

Abstract: The invention provides a devices, methods and systems to measure and record uterine tissue environment components such as pH during the course of uterine artery occlusion. The uterus becomes ischemic due to the occlusion thereof, and its pH drops sharply within minutes of uterine artery occlusion and remains relatively low for a period of time. The return of normal pH is an indicator of return of blood to the ischemic tissue. In use, a catheter with a pH measuring tip is advanced through the patient's vaginal canal and into the patient's uterine cavity until the pH measuring active electrode on the distal end of the catheter contacts or penetrates the uterine fundus. The active electrode detects the pH and a signal representing pH is transmitted to a pH recording and monitoring device which preferably displays the pH. The signal may be transmitted through a conductor or by a radio transmitter. Components other than pH may be monitored such a pCO2, and pO2.

Abstract: A system is provided for compressing one or both of the uterine arteries of a patient which is at least in part shaped to complement the shape of the exterior of the cervix, which allows the system to be self-positioning. One or more Doppler chips can be mounted or incorporated into the system which permit the practitioner to better identify the uterine artery and monitor blood flow therein. A tenaculum-like element can be further included which secures the system 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: 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.

Abstract: The invention is directed to instruments and procedures using such instruments for temporarily reducing or terminating blood flow through a female patient's uterine artery to treat post partum hemorrhage (PPH). The uterine artery is occluded by a clamping device which includes a pair of pivotally connected clamping members, with each of the clamping members having a handle and a clamping element at the distal end of the handle. The clamping elements are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axes of the handles at an included obtuse angle between about 120° and about 170°, preferably between about 130° and 160°. An artery locating sensor is provided on the distal end of at least one of the clamping elements. Preferably, the artery locating sensor is a Doppler ultrasound blood flow sensor.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for temporarily reducing or abolishing blood flow by occluding blood vessels are provided. A blood vessel-occlusion device embodying features of the invention includes a deployable pressure-applying member with a location sensor, and an applicator. The location sensor is configured to detect a blood vessel, which may be occluded by compression from the pressure-applying member. A pressure-applying member may be released from the applicator, with blood-vessel compression maintained after release. The applicator is configured to engage a guide, such as a tenaculum, to aid in the placement and operation of the applicator. A pressure-applying member may also engage the guide. 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 section.

Abstract: The invention provides a devices, methods and systems to measure and record uterine tissue environment components such as pH during the course of uterine artery occlusion. The uterus becomes ischemic due to the occlusion thereof, and its pH drops sharply within minutes of uterine artery occlusion and remains relatively low for a period of time. The return of normal pH is an indicator of return of blood to the ischemic tissue. In use, a catheter with a pH measuring tip is advanced through the patient's vaginal canal and into the patient's uterine cavity until the pH measuring active electrode on the distal end of the catheter contacts or penetrates the uterine fundus. The active electrode detects the pH and a signal representing pH is transmitted to a pH recording and monitoring device which preferably displays the pH. The signal may be transmitted through a conductor or by a radio transmitter. Components other than pH may be monitored such a pCO2, and pO2.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a uterine artery clamp and the relatively non-invasive treatment procedure utilizing this clamp. The uterine clamp includes a clamping member having a jaw with tissue-contacting surfaces for applying pressure to target tissue and a stabilizing member which is configured to be inserted into the patient's uterine cervical canal. The clamp may be provided with elongated handles to manually adjust the spacing between the jaw and stabilizer and thereby apply pressure to a uterine artery beneath a bundle of tissue held between the jaw and stabilizer. Uterine clamps embodying features of the invention by be used in procedures for treating uterine disorders such as fibroids, DUB, PPH and the like.

Abstract: An intravaginal uterine artery occlusion device is used for treating uterine disorders such as fibroids, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage and the like. A occlusion device has a cervical receptacle with an open distal end for receiving the patients uterine cervix, an elongated shaft having a distal end secured to the closed proximal end of the cervical receptacle, and an inner lumen extending to the distal end of the shaft. The patient's uterine cervix is held within the interior of the receptacle by the application of a vacuum to the interior of the receptacle through the inner lumen of the shaft while the leading edge(s) of the cervical receptacle press against the patient's vaginal fornix to occlude the uterine artery. A blood flow sensor may be provided on the leading edge of the receptacle to aid in locating a uterine artery and to monitor blood flow through the uterine artery.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for occluding arteries without puncturing skin or vessel walls. The devices, systems and methods for occluding arteries are configured to be applied to arteries externally of the arteries. Occlusion may be temporary or permanent, and may be partial or complete. Clamping a device to tissue near to an artery is effective to compress tissue around the artery and to indirectly compress the artery. The methods, devices and systems of the invention find use in, for example, treatment of uterine disorders and conditions which may be treated by occlusion of the uterine arteries. A uterine artery may be accessed via a patient's vagina by compressing a portion of the vaginal wall around a portion of a uterine artery to occlude a uterine artery. Clamping of an artery may also be performed by clamping a device directly onto an artery.

Abstract: Non-permanent occlusion of the uterine arteries is sufficient to cause the demise of uterine myomata without unnecessarily exposing other tissues and anatomical structures to hypoxia attendant to prior permanent occlusion techniques. A therapeutically effective transient time of occlusion of a uterine artery to treat uterine fibroid tumors is from 1 hours to 24 hours, and preferably is at least about 4 hours. A therapeutically effective temporary time of occlusion of a uterine artery to treat uterine fibroid tumors is from 1 day (24 hours) to 7 days (168 hours), and preferably is about 4 days (96 hours). By invaginating the tissues of the vaginal wall up to or around a uterine artery, collapse of the uterine artery can be achieved without penetrating tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A compression and ligation device includes a pair of jaws including one or more Doppler chips oriented to send and receive Doppler signals across the jaws, to assist a practitioner in determining whether or not a uterine artery is between the jaws. A suture leader with an attached suture can be pushed through a channel on one of the jaws, through tissue behind the uterine artery, into another channel on the other jaw, and proximally out the device so that the practitioner can ligate the artery and effect hemostasis.

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.