BPH ablation method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A medical probe device for medical treatment of the prostate, comprising:
- a catheter having a stylet guide housing at one end;
a stylet having a flexible radio-frequency electrode with a sharpened tip and an insulating sleeve that retains the electrode and is movable relative to the electrode;
stylet guide means disposed in the stylet guide housing for retaining and directing the stylet outward through a stylet port in a side of the stylet guide housing;
means for introducing the catheter through the urethra to a zone adjacent to the prostate;
means for advancing the electrode from the catheter through the wall of the urethra into the prostate tissue to be treated such that the sharpened tip of the electrode punctures and penetrates the urethra wall with the sleeve extending through the urethra wall;
means for retracting the insulating sleeve within the prostate tissue to expose a predetermined length of electrode in the prostate tissue;
power supply means connected to the electrode for passing electric current through the electrode until the temperature of the prostate tissue adjacent the predetermined length of electrode is raised to a temperature causing destruction of cells of the prostate tissue; and
first temperature monitoring means connected to the power supply means for measuring the temperature of tissue proximal to the prostate and providing a cut-off of the electric current when the monitored temperature exceeds a predetermined value.
6 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and an apparatus is disclosed for delivering controlled heat to perform ablation to treat the benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). According to the method and the apparatus, the energy is transferred directly into the tissue mass which is to be treated in such a manner as to provide tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceed predetermined safe temperature limits. The constant application of the radio frequency energy over a maintained determined time provides a safe procedure which avoids electrosurgical and other invasive operations while providing fast relief to BPH with a short recovery time. The procedure may be accomplished in a doctor'"'"'s office without the need for hospitalization or surgery.
758 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A medical probe device for medical treatment of the prostate, comprising:
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a catheter having a stylet guide housing at one end; a stylet having a flexible radio-frequency electrode with a sharpened tip and an insulating sleeve that retains the electrode and is movable relative to the electrode; stylet guide means disposed in the stylet guide housing for retaining and directing the stylet outward through a stylet port in a side of the stylet guide housing; means for introducing the catheter through the urethra to a zone adjacent to the prostate; means for advancing the electrode from the catheter through the wall of the urethra into the prostate tissue to be treated such that the sharpened tip of the electrode punctures and penetrates the urethra wall with the sleeve extending through the urethra wall; means for retracting the insulating sleeve within the prostate tissue to expose a predetermined length of electrode in the prostate tissue; power supply means connected to the electrode for passing electric current through the electrode until the temperature of the prostate tissue adjacent the predetermined length of electrode is raised to a temperature causing destruction of cells of the prostate tissue; and first temperature monitoring means connected to the power supply means for measuring the temperature of tissue proximal to the prostate and providing a cut-off of the electric current when the monitored temperature exceeds a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification