Surgery – Magnetic field applied to body for therapy
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-07
2001-05-15
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery
Magnetic field applied to body for therapy
C128S898000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231496
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a medical treatment method. More particularly, this invention relates to a minimally invasive technique for treating internal tissues of an organism or patient. The technique is especially useful for sterilization of female organisms, as well as in the treatment of at least certain kinds of cancer.
The ever increasing population of human beings has been a topic of scientific reports and substantial media speculation. In many parts of the world, conventional birth control devices or prophylactics are either not available or not used. Such countries tend to have burgeoning citizenries sharing ever decreasing natural resources and other types of wealth. In times past, the increasing demand for reduced fundamentals of life has given rise to war and to other forms of disaster such as famine and disease.
The world is in need of a birth control technique which is inexpensive and easy to implement. Many conventional birth control techniques such as intrauterine devices and vasectomies require a hospital operation. Such operations can be performed only by highly trained personnel. The operations are expensive and time consuming. Consequently, the operations are not available to large segments of the world's population.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a new birth control technique.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a birth control technique which is simple to use and can be used by personnel of minimally training.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a technique or method which is inexpensive.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide such a technique or method which has a high probability of success in preventing unwanted pregnancies.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating internal tissues such as those affected by cancer.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A sterilization method comprises, in accordance with the present invention, depositing a plethora of magnetizable metal particles into a uterus of a living female organism and placing a magnet near an external skin surface of the female organism near the uterus to thereby cause at least some of the metal particles to embed in a lining (myometrium, endometrium) of the uterus.
The metal particles may be magnetized prior to deposition in the uterus. The particles are advantageously formed to have a sharp end which easily penetrates into the uterine lining. Each particle is magnetized so that the sharp end has a predetermined magnetic pole, whereby a magnet with the opposite pole placed against the organism results in an embedding of the sharp end in the uterine lining. The generation of a magnetic field in the uterus via the externally positioned magnet serves not only to orient the metal particles with respect to the uterine lining but also to pull the particles into the lining.
The metal particles advantageously have a tapered form, with an enlarged end opposite the sharp end. The larger end serves to limit the extent to which the metal particles are pulled into the uterine lining.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the depositing of the metal particles is accomplished by inserting a tubular member through a cervix of the female organism and injecting the metal particles through the tubular member.
Where the metal particles are suspended in a flowable matrix, the depositing of the metal particles in the uterus includes exerting pressure on the flowable matrix to cause the flowable matrix with the suspended metal particles to flow into the uterus. The exerted pressure forces the flowable matrix with the suspended metal particles through the tubular member after the placement of a distal tip thereof in the uterus of the subject.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the tubular member is provided with a balloon. In that case, the sterilization method further comprises inflating the balloon after inserting the tubular member through the cervix and prior to injecting of the metal particles through the tubular member. The inflated balloon serves to close the uterus to retain the metal particles in the uterus.
Pursuant to an additional feature of the present invention, the method further comprising emitting microwave radiation into the female organism in a region about the uterus after the embedding of the metal particles in the lining. The strength of the microwave radiation is sufficiently great to cause significant tissue heating and possibly limited electrical discharge in the uterine lining region, thereby advancing the effective destruction of the lining to prevent embryo attachment and gestation. However, the strength of the microwave radiation is insufficient to significantly warm the tissues of the organism outside of the uterine lining.
A sterilization procedure pursuant to the present invention may be performed by personnel with a modicum of training and skills. The sterilization procedure does not require expensive or complicated equipment or instruments. A solution or suspension of metal particles, an injection tube, and a magnet are all that's necessary. Even the optional microwave generator is conventional technology which is easy to use. The magnet may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The injection tube may be provided with a balloon for holding the metal particles in the uterus during the embedding thereof in the uterine lining.
Where the organism is human, it may be best to have the patient disposed stomach down in the Trendelenburg position during at least part of the sterilization procedure.
The metal particles may be coated with a biological irritant composition to cause scarring of the lining after embedding of the metal particles in the lining.
A medical treatment method comprises, in accordance with the present invention, (a) depositing a plethora of magnetizable metal particles into internal tissues of a living organism and (b) emitting microwave radiation into the organism in a region about the internal tissues after the depositing of the metal particles in the internal tissues.
Where the internal tissues are a lining, the depositing of the metal particles includes inserting a tubular member through a skin surface of the organism and into a cavity defined or surrounded by the lining and further includes filling the cavity with a solution or suspension containing the metal particles. The lining may be a peritoneal lining, and the cavity a peritoneal cavity.
Where the internal tissues are a tumorous growth, the depositing of the metal particles includes inserting a hypodermic needle through a skin surface of the organism and into the tumorous growth and additionally includes injecting the metal particles through the needle into the tumorous growth.
A more general method for sterilizing a female comprises, in accordance with the present invention, inserting a tubular member through a cervix of a female organism and thereafter injecting a sclerosing agent into a uterus of the female organism through the tubular member. The sclerosing agent may include a plethora of metal particles, in which case the method further comprises acting on the metal particles to embed the metal particles in a lining of the uterus. The acting on the metal particles generally includes orienting the particles, for example, by applying a magnetic field to the metal particles. As discussed above, microwave radiation is optionally emitted into the female organism in a region about the uterus after the injecting of the metal particles into the uterus.
Other kinds of sclerosing agents include chemical irritants which cause a scarring of the uterine tissues, thereby rendering the uterus incapable of supporting a fetus. Chemical sclerosing agents include salicylic acid solutions and concentrated sugar solutions, for example, a 25-50% dextrose solution. Other known sclerotic agent
Essig Mitchell N.
Wilk Peter J.
Coleman Henry D.
Dvorak Linda C. M.
Kearney R
Sudol R. Neil
LandOfFree
Medical treatment method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Medical treatment method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Medical treatment method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2541576