Glossary
A
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)
A gynecological condition characterized by prolonged bleeding, bleeding between monthly periods, and an extremely heavy flow.
Adenomyosis
Endometrial tissue that is present within and grows into the muscular walls of your uterus
Adverse effect
Sometimes called a side effect. An undesirable secondary effect of a drug or treatment.
Amenorrhea
No menstrual bleeding, not even one drop
Anesthesia
Medical treatment with drugs to reduce and/or stop pain
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C
Cervix
Part of the uterus that contains the cervical canal and connects the uterus to the vagina.
Clinical Study
A carefully planned test in people to find out if a new medical product or treatment is safe and if it works.
Coagulopathy
The blood’s ability to coagulate (form clots) is impaired
Contraindication
Contraindications are conditions under which the device should not be used because the risk of use clearly outweighs any possible benefit
D
Diagnostic
A test or procedure to identify a disease or problem.
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
A surgical procedure your doctor uses to go through your vagina to gently scrape and remove the lining of the uterus (endometrium)
Dysfunction
Dysfunction
E
Effectiveness
The measure of how well a medical treatment works
Endometrial Ablation
A surgical treatment to eliminate the endometrium, the tissue lining of the uterus, and the source of excessive menstrual bleeding
Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is cancer of the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. It is the most common type of cancer that affects the female reproductive organs
Endometrial Polyp
Tissue growths extending from the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium)
Endometriosis
A disorder in which the tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus.
Endometrium
The lining of the uterus.
Estrogen
A chemical substance made by your body. Estrogen plays a very important role in your menstrual cycle, becoming pregnant, and many other body functions
F
Fallopian tube
Either of the pair of tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus
FDA
The United States Food and Drug Administration is the government agency whose mission is to protect and promote public health by protecting the safety of the food supply and giving the public access to safe and effective medical products
Fibroid (Leiomyoma)
Noncancerous growths of muscle in the uterus
G
Genesys HTA
An endometrial ablation product for the uniquely shaped uterus from Minerva Surgical that involves a minimally invasive method to remove the lining of the uterus with the goal of reducing or eliminating bleeding due to Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Gynecologist
A doctor who specializes in treating the female reproductive system
H
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB)
Period bleeding that lasts more than 7 days. Also called Menorrhagia or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Hormonal imbalance
An imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that control the buildup and monthly shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) that can lead to heavy periods
Hormonal therapy/treatment
A medication that contains female hormones to replace estrogen in your body.
Hormone
A chemical made in your body. Your body makes hundreds of hormones and uses hormones to control a large number of body functions
Hysterectomy
A surgical procedure to remove the uterus
Hysteroscope
A thin tube with a camera at the end which is used to perform a hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopic Myomectomy
When a thin, lighted instrument is placed through the vagina and cervix and into the uterus to locate and remove fibroids or polyps that are located on the inner wall of the uterine cavity
Hysteroscopy
Procedure completed using a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted tube with a camera that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus
I
Iatrogenic
Caused by medical interventions (for example, the placement of an IUD) or certain medications
Indication
A symptom that suggests certain medical treatment is necessary
Infertility
The inability to conceive, despite frequent and unprotected intercourse for at least a year.
Intramural fibroid
Fibroids that are found in the muscular layers of the uterine wall
Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)
A birth control device prescribed by your doctor to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor places the small device inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy
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L
Laparoscopic Myomectomy
When one or more small incisions are made near your belly button and a lighted viewing instrument is used to remove fibroids
M
Malignancy & Hyperplasia
Cancerous growths or atypical pre-cancerous endometrial tissue
Menopause
A natural process of aging when the ovaries stop producing reproductive hormones and there are no monthly periods for twelve consecutive months.
Menorrhagia
Period bleeding that lasts more than 7 days. Also called Heavy Menstrual Bleeding or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Menstrual cycle
The process of ovulation and menstruation in women and other female primates.
Menstruation
The process in a woman of discharging blood and other materials from the lining of the uterus at intervals of about one lunar month from puberty until menopause, except during pregnancy.
Minerva Controller
The computer and electronic part of the Minerva System that makes the device work
Minerva Handpiece
The handheld part of the Minerva device that is used by physicians to treat the uterus
Minerva Surgical
Medical technology company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing minimally invasive solutions to meet the distinct uterine healthcare needs of women.
MinervaES
An endometrial ablation product from Minerva Surgical that involves a minimally invasive method to remove the lining of the uterus with the goal of reducing or eliminating bleeding due to Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Minimally Invasive Treatment
A treatment that can be done through the body’s natural openings or through one or more small incisions to avoid large incisions
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images.
Myomectomy
Surgical procedure to remove fibroids
Myometrium
The smooth muscle tissue of the uterus.
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O
Open Myomectomy
When an abdomminal incision is made to remove large or numerous fibroids that have grown deep into or outside the uterine wall
Outpatient
A visit to hospital, clinic or facility that does not require an overnight stay.
Ovary
A female reproductive organ in which eggs are produced.
Ovulatory dysfuntion
Abnormal, irregular (with ≤ 9 periods/year), or absent ovulation
P
PALM-COEIN
A classification system for the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding.
Pedunculated fibroid
Fibroids that are found inside or outside the uterus
Perimenopause
A natural period of transition, which begins several years before menopause.
Progestin
A hormone made by your body. Progestin has a very important role in your menstrual cycle, becoming pregnant, and many other body functions
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R
Resectr
A minimally invasive device from Minerva Surgical that removes polyps through the vagina and cervical canal without the need for incisions.
S
Sonohysterogram
A procedure that uses soundwaves to obtain images inside the uterus.
Submucosal fibroid
Fibroids that are found inside the uterine cavity
Subserosal fibroid
Fibroids that are found in the outer wall of the uterus
Success rate
The percent (%) of patients who are expected to have their excessive bleeding reduced to a normal level or less than normal levels after endometrial ablation treatment.
Symphion
A minimally invasive device from Minerva Surgical that removes fibroids and polyps through the vagina and cervical canal without the need for incisions.
Symptom
A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disesase.
T
Thickened Endometrium
A condition in which the endometrium is abnormally thick. Often the cause of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Transabdominal ultrasound
A procedure that uses high frequency soundwaves that pass through the abdominal wall to obtain images inside your body.
Transvaginal ultrasound
An internal pelvic ultrasound that invovles inserting a probe into the vagina to examine the female reproductive organs.
Tubal ligation
A surgical method of permanent birth control that closes a woman’s Fallopian tubes
U
Ultrasound
Images of internal organs, like the uterus, that are made by a machine using sound waves
Uterine cavity
The inside of the uterus.
Uterus
A hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum.
V
Vagina
A canal in a female that leads from the uterus to the external orifice of the genital canal.
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Minerva Surgical does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment or engage in the practice of medicine. There are potential risks with any medical procedure. These procedures may not be appropriate for all patients, and all patients may not benefit. For information about risks, visit aubandme.com/risks. Rx Only.
Minerva ES, Symphion and Genesys HTA are registered trademarks of Minerva Surgical, Inc.
Resectr is a trademark of Minerva Surgical, Inc.
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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