DR. JENNIFER DAWN MARLER, M.D.
Radiology at Lee St, Charlottesville, VA

2009031, Dec 24, 2009

Nov 13, 2008

12/270373

David S. Utley - Redwood City CA, US
Brent C. Gerberding - San Jose CA, US
Miriam H. Taimisto - San Jose CA, US
Winnie Chung - San Jose CA, US
Jennifer D. Marler - Pleasanton CA, US
Viorica Filimon - San Jose CA, US

A61B 18/18

606 33

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.