Biopolar virtual electrode for transurethral needle ablation
First Claim
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1. A method for performing transurethral needle ablation, comprising:
- deploying first and second ablation needles to a target tissue site within a prostate of a male patient, wherein the first and second ablation needles form a bipolar electrode pair;
delivering an electrically conductive fluid to the target tissue site; and
delivering ablation energy to the target tissue via the bipolar ablation needles.
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Abstract
A device and method for transurethral needle ablation of prostate tissue to alleviate BPH uses bipolar ablation needles and a virtual electrode. To create the virtual electrode, a conductive fluid is delivered to the target site within the prostate tissue. Ablation energy is then delivered to the target tissue and the virtual electrode via a pair of bipolar ablation needles. The ablation energy flows between the bipolar ablation needles, throughout the virtual electrode and the prostate tissue to create ablation lesions within the prostate.
171 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method for performing transurethral needle ablation, comprising:
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deploying first and second ablation needles to a target tissue site within a prostate of a male patient, wherein the first and second ablation needles form a bipolar electrode pair;
delivering an electrically conductive fluid to the target tissue site; and
delivering ablation energy to the target tissue via the bipolar ablation needles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A transurethral ablation system comprising:
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a transurethral catheter;
a first ablation needle extendable from the catheter to penetrate a prostate of a patient;
a second ablation needle extendable from the catheter to penetrate a prostate of a patient, wherein the first and second ablation needles form a bipolar electrode pair;
a fluid delivery conduit extending within the catheter;
a fluid delivery device to deliver fluid to the prostate via the fluid delivery conduit; and
an ablation energy generator to deliver ablation energy to the prostate via the first and second ablation needles and the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A transurethral ablation system, comprising:
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means for creating a virtual electrode at a target tissue site within the prostate of a male patient; and
means for delivering ablation energy between a first needle electrode and a second needle electrode and the electrically conductive fluid. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45)
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Specification