Method and system for performing intraurethral radio-frequency urethral enlargement
First Claim
1. A method of inducing a urethral enlargement at the prostate in an operative field in a patient, which includes a periurethral region of the prostate, comprising the steps of:
- inserting an electrode into the urethra through the penis to a region of the prostate within the operative field without piercing the wall of the urethra; and
applying an appropriate level of a high-frequency output from a high-frequency generator through the electrode to induce heat ablation of at least a portion of the urethra and at least a portion of the periurethral tissue within the operative field, thereby inducing formation of a cavity to enlarge a passageway within the urethra.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation electrode passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. The electrode is coupled to a high frequency power supply to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. Image guidance of the electrode placement is monitored by an imaging device. The temperature of the tissue is sensed at the electrode to control the high frequency heating energy and ablation process. The electrode has a blunt tip to help prevent piercing of the wall of the urethra during insertion of the electrode into the urethra through the penis and the positioning of the electrode tip near to the point of urethral obstruction. Several forms of electrodes, apparatus, and methods accommodate the specific objectives.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of inducing a urethral enlargement at the prostate in an operative field in a patient, which includes a periurethral region of the prostate, comprising the steps of:
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inserting an electrode into the urethra through the penis to a region of the prostate within the operative field without piercing the wall of the urethra; and
applying an appropriate level of a high-frequency output from a high-frequency generator through the electrode to induce heat ablation of at least a portion of the urethra and at least a portion of the periurethral tissue within the operative field, thereby inducing formation of a cavity to enlarge a passageway within the urethra. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of inducing a urethral enlargement at the prostate within an operative field of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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inserting an electrode into the urethra through the penis to a region of the prostate in the operative field without piercing the wall of the urethra;
connecting the electrode to a high-frequency generator located external to the operative field; and
heating the region of the prostate within the operative field by applying an output from the high-frequency generator to the tissue within the operative field through the electrode sufficient to elevate the temperature of a portion of the urethra in the region of the prostate to at least 50°
C. to induce ablation of the portion of the prostate, thereby causing enlargement of the urethra. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for relieving urethral obstruction in a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia, comprising the steps of:
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inserting an electrode into the urethra through the penis to a region of the prostate without penetrating the urethral wall, wherein the electrode has a portion which is uninsulated and has an electrical connection for connecting the portion to a high-frequency generator located external to the body of the patient;
disposing the uninsulated portion within the urethra close to the point of urethral obstruction;
ablatively heating the urethra and the prostate tissue near the urethra by connecting the uninsulated portion of the electrode to the high frequency generator and inducing ablative reduction of tissue mass near the urethra to reduce the urethral obstruction.
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16. A system for intraurethral high-frequency heating of an operative field comprising the prostate of a patient to accomplish enlargement of the patient'"'"'s urethra, comprising:
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a generator of a high-frequency electrical signal;
an endoscope adapted to be inserted into the urethra through the penis of the patient;
an electrode adapted to be inserted through the endoscope, wherein the electrode has an electrically conductive tip that is blunt to inhibit piercing of the urethral wall and an elongated shaft which is in part electrically insulated, the shaft having a length sufficient to enable the electrically conductive tip to extend out of a distal end of the endoscope and be positioned within the urethra at a position within the prostate; and
an electrical connection between the conductive tip and the generator, allowing the high-frequency electrical signal from the generator to induce ablative heating of a portion of the urethra and a portion of prostate tissue near the urethra when the conductive tip is placed within the urethra at the position within the prostate, thereby causing urethral enlargement. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for intraurethral high-frequency heating of a patient'"'"'s prostate to accomplish enlargement of the patient'"'"'s urethra, comprising:
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a generator of a high-frequency electrical signal;
an electrode adapted to be inserted into the urethra through the penis of the patient, wherein the electrode has a non-cooled electrically conductive portion capable of being positioned within the urethra proximate to the prostate; and
an electrical connection between the conductive portion and the generator, allowing the high-frequency electrical signal from the generator to induce ablative heating of a portion of the urethra and a portion of prostate tissue near the urethra, thereby causing urethral enlargement. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification