Uterine hemorrhage controlling system and method
Inventors
Norred, Alexander James • Carlin, Davis Reed • Harper, George Cochran • Lagrew, David
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9125686-B2
Publication Date
2015-09-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
An embodiment of a uterine hemorrhage controlling system comprises a suction module including a suction end coupleable to a pump by a connecting tube, and a sealing module coupled to the suction module. The system may further comprise the pump and a filter coupled to the suction module. A uterine hemorrhage controlling method comprises: shielding a suction module that has been delivered into a uterus; sealing an entrance into the uterus while the suction module is situated within the uterus; applying a negative pressure within the uterus upon activation of a pump; and maintaining the negative pressure within the uterus to induce uterine contraction. The method may further comprise delivering the suction module into the uterus; transmitting bodily fluids, out of the uterus through the suction module, and filtering the bodily fluids.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes an improved uterine hemorrhage controlling system for transvaginal delivery that uses pump-generated negative pressure delivered by a suction module to control uterine hemorrhaging. The suction module includes a flexible suction tube configured to form a first loop with a set of openings defined along a medial surface of the loop, and the openings are medially oriented away from an interior surface of the uterus when delivered into the uterus.
The system further includes a shield of unitary construction with the flexible suction tube and configured to limit obstruction of the set of openings. A seal is coupled to the connecting tube between the suction module and the pump and is operable to hermetically seal an entrance to the uterus to maintain negative pressure within the uterus.
The seal comprises a balloon configured to have an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In the expanded configuration, the seal hermetically seals the entrance to the uterus to maintain negative pressure within the uterus, thereby closing exposed arterioles of the uterus in order to control uterine hemorrhaging.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage includes two independent claims. Across the independent claims, the inventive features focus on a looped flexible suction tube with medially oriented openings, a unitary shield to limit obstruction, and a pump-coupled hermetic balloon seal that maintains negative pressure and closes exposed arterioles, with an option for balloon expansion using a parallel delivery conduit carrying gas or fluid.
Looped medial openings generating negative pressure without obstruction
A suction module configured for insertion into a uterus with a flexible suction tube forming a first loop, a set of openings defined along a medial surface of the first loop configured to be medially oriented away from an interior surface of the uterus and configured to fluidly connect to a lumen of a connecting tube, wherein activation of the pump generates a negative pressure at the set of openings to induce uterine contraction about the first loop without obstruction of the set of openings.
Unitary shield limiting obstruction of suction openings
A shield of unitary construction with the flexible suction tube and configured to limit obstruction of the set of openings.
Hermetic balloon seal maintaining negative pressure and closing exposed arterioles
A seal coupled to the connecting tube between the suction module and the pump, configured to hermetically seal an entrance to the uterus to maintain a negative pressure within the uterus, thereby closing exposed arterioles of the uterus in order to control uterine hemorrhaging, wherein the seal comprises a balloon configured to have an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration.
Parallel delivery conduit expanding the balloon seal using gas or fluid
The balloon includes an opening fluidly coupled to a delivery conduit that runs parallel with the connecting tube and that delivers at least one of a gas and a fluid into the balloon to expand the balloon into the expanded configuration.
The independent claims collectively cover a transvaginal uterine hemorrhage controlling system that induces uterine contraction using pump-generated negative pressure delivered through a looped flexible suction tube with medially oriented openings, while a unitary shield limits obstruction of the openings. The claims also require a pump-coupled hermetic balloon seal that maintains negative pressure at an entrance to the uterus to close exposed arterioles, with an expandable balloon that can be expanded by delivering gas or fluid through a delivery conduit running parallel to the connecting tube.
Stated Advantages
Induces uterine contraction about the first loop without obstruction of the set of openings.
Maintains a negative pressure within the uterus by hermetically sealing an entrance to the uterus.
Closes exposed arterioles of the uterus to control uterine hemorrhaging.
Documented Applications
Controlling uterine hemorrhaging, including postpartum hemorrhage, using transvaginal delivery with a transvaginal uterine hemorrhage controlling system.
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