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Abstract

Apparatus for performing thermal ablation of the endometrium of a uterus is shown. The apparatus includes a catheter having at least one lumen. An insulating material is positioned around a selected portion of the exterior of the catheter to insulate the same from the walls of the vagina. A thermally conductive inflatable member is operatively coupled to the distal end of the catheter. The inflatable member is capable of expanding from a collapsed position, when filled with a fluid, into an expanded position which approximates the shape and volume of a uterus. The inflatable member is adapted to be placed into the uterus in the collapsed position and is filled through the catheter with a heated fluid to expand the inflatable member into its expanded position and into intimate contact with the endometrium. The heated fluid has a selected temperature and the inflatable member is capable of thermally conducting heat from the fluid to the endometrium for a period of time to thermally ablate selected tissue or ablate tissue to a selected depth. The thermal ablation apparatus may also be used to perform ablation of any mucosa layer in an organ of a body such as the gall bladder or large intestine. A method for using the thermal ablation apparatus in a surgical procedure is also shown.

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