120 results about "Cervical tissue" patented technology

A system and method for classifying tissue by application of discriminant analysis to spectral data. Spectra are recorded as amplitudes at a series of discrete wavelengths. Pluralities of reference spectra are recorded for specimens having known conditions. The reference spectra are subjected to discriminant analysis to determine wavelength regions of interest for the analysis. A plurality of amplitudes are selected for the analysis, and are plotted in an N-dimensional space. For each plurality of reference spectra corresponding to a specific known condition, a characteristic point is determined and plotted, the characteristic point representative of the known condition. A test spectrum is recorded from a test specimen, and the plurality of amplitudes corresponding in wavelength to the wavelength regions of interest are selected. A characteristic point in N-dimensional space is determined for the test spectrum. The distance of the characteristic point of the test spectrum from each of the plurality of characteristic points representative of known conditions is determined. The test specimen is assigned the condition corresponding to the characteristic point of a plurality of reference spectra, based on a distance relationship with at least two distances, provided that at least one distance is less than a pre-determined maximum distance. In some embodiments, the test specimen can comprise human cervical tissue, and the known conditions can include normal health, metaplasia, CIN I and CIN II / III.

The present invention relates to the detection of a cell proliferative disorder associated with alterations of microsatellite DNA in a sample. The microsatellite DNA can be contained within any of a variety of samples, such as urine, sputum, bile, stool, cervical tissue, saliva, tears, or cerebral spinal fluid. The invention is a method to detect an allelic imbalance by assaying microsatellite DNA. Allelic imbalance is detected by observing an abnormality in an allele, such as an increase or decrease in microsatellite DNA which is at or corresponds to an allele. An increase can be detected as the appearance of a new allele. In practicing the invention, DNA amplification methods, particularly polymerase chain reactions, are useful for amplifying the DNA. DNA analysis methods can be used to detect such a decrease or increase. The invention is also a method to detect genetic instability of microsatellite DNA. Genetic instability is detected by observing an amplification or deletion of the small, tandem repeat DNA sequences in the microsatellite DNA which is at or corresponds to an allele. The invention is also a kit for practicing these methods.

Featured are apparatuses for measuring bioimpendence of tissues of the cervix, more specifically the mammalian cervix. Also featured are methods for examining the tissues of the cervix for clinical or diagnostic purposes such as during routine gynecological examinations to determine early onset of labor in pregnant patients or to assess such tissues for the presence of abnormalities such as cancerous lesions in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Also featured are methods for treating onset of early or pre-term labor that embody such devices, apparatuses and methods of the present invention. Also featured are systems embodying such devices, apparatuses and / or methods, where such systems preferably are configured to provide diagnostic and / or clinical information to further assist the diagnostician or clinician in diagnosing and / or examining pregnant or non-pregnant patients.

A thermal ablation device includes an elongated member sized and shaped for insertion into a uterus via a cervical opening. The elongated member defines a first lumen extending therethrough to a first distal opening which, when the apparatus is in an operative position, opens into the uterus and a seal positioned on the elongated member so that, when the elongated member is in the operative position, the seal engages cervical tissue around a circumference of the elongated member and prevent fluids introduced into the uterus via the first lumen from flowing therepast into the cervix. The seal includes a plurality of flexible members separated from one another along a length of the elongated member and projecting radially outward from an outer surface of the elongated member.

Featured are apparatuses for measuring bioimpendence of tissues of the cervix, more specifically the mammalian cervix. Also featured are methods for examining the tissues of the cervix for clinical or diagnostic purposes such as during routine gynecological examinations to determine early onset of labor in pregnant patients or to assess such tissues for the presence of abnormalities such as cancerous lesions in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Also featured are methods for treating onset of early or pre-term labor that embody such devices, apparatuses and methods of the present invention. Also featured are systems embodying such devices, apparatuses and / or methods, where such systems preferably are configured to provide diagnostic and / or clinical information to further assist the diagnostician or clinician in diagnosing and / or examining pregnant or non-pregnant patients.

A device serves for performing examination and surgical intervention on the uterus. The device comprises an approximate rod-shaped body and an extension piece protruding from a distal end of said body. Said extension piece can be introduced in a cervical canal of an uterus. At least one adjustable jaw part for fixing of a cervical tissue between said extension piece and said jaw part is provided. An operating device serves for operating said adjustable jaw part. Said operating device is arranged on said rod-shaped body in such a way that a hand of an operator gripping said body can operate said operating device.

The present invention comprises devices and methods that, in certain embodiments, provide a lighted cup, ring or cap that comprises a customizable size and fit, for use in hysterectomy procedures, whereby the ring or cup engages the vaginal fornix and is covered by the vaginal cervical tissue. The lighting allows the surgeon to visualize the location of the lighted cup, ring or cap, thereby quickly and accurately identifying the incision site while providing protection of the associated vasculature and the ureters.

The invention provides a system, devices, and methods for ablating abnormal epithelial tissue of the uterine cervix. Embodiments of an ablation device include an operative head with a support surface adapted to conformably engage and therapeutically contact the cervix, and an energy delivery element on the support surface. The energy delivery element is configured to deliver energy, such as RF energy, to the tissue in a manner that controls the surface area and depth of ablation. The device may further include a shaft and a handle to support the ablation device, and may further include a speculum to facilitate access to the cervix. A system to support the operation of the ablation device includes a generator to deliver energy to the energy delivery element. Embodiments of a method for ablating abnormal cervical tissue include inserting an ablation device intravaginally to contact the cervix, aligning an energy delivery element support surface conformably against a region of the cervix with abnormal tissue, and ablating the tissue.

A vaginal speculum arrangement includes a blade system for opening the vagina having a first blade (1) and a second blade (2) physically separable from one another, and an injection mechanism for dispensing a diagnostic marker onto the surface of the examined tissue having an injection probe (7). The direction of application of the diagnostic marker by the injection probe is not influenced by separation of the first and second blades and thus the injection probe (7) allows for a substantially homogeneous application of the diagnostic marker on a desired area in the examined vaginal or cervical tissue, irrespective of the degree of separation of the blades (1,2). The probe may be a nozzle generating a desirable injection pattern. The probe may be affixed to an extension rod, which may be mechanically coupled with the speculum blades. Optical, electronic imaging means, illumination means and treatment tools may be mounted onto the extension rod, which rod may be reversibly attached to mechanical positioning systems or to imaging devices used in colposcopy. The speculum arrangement may be used as a tool for diagnostic and screening examinations and for the treatment of cervical and vaginal neoplasias.

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for measuring collagen organization in the cervix, assessing the health of a woman's cervix (including a pregnant woman's cervix), characterizing the composition and structure of cervical tissue, and measuring preterm labor risk are provided. Polarization sensitive techniques and properties of cervical tissue, including birefringence, can be used. A method can include acquiring in vivo images of cervical tissue, applying Mueller matrix (MM) polarimetry (including 4×4 Mueller matrix polarimetry), and determining one or more parameters of the cervical tissue using the Mueller matrix (MM) polarimetry. The in vivo images can be analyzed and various parameters that characterize the cervical tissue can be determined. Graphs and maps of the cervical tissue can be generated for use as care provider tools.