Transurethral radio frequency apparatus for ablation of the prostate gland and method
First Claim
1. In a transurethral radio frequency apparatus for ablation of the prostate gland through the urethra formed by a urethral wall, a probe consisting of a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and being sized so as to be adapted to be inserted into the urethra, a rounded tip of non-conductive material carried by the distal extremities of the flexible elongate tubular member, a cylindrical sleeve ablation electrode formed of a conductive material carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member proximally of the rounded tip and having a bore therein and being adapted to be positioned within the prostate gland, the flexible elongate tubular member being provided therein with a first flow lumen for delivering a cooled fluid to the bore of the ablation electrode to cool the ablation electrode and a second flow lumen for returning the cooled fluid from the bore of the ablation electrode, means connected to the probe for supplying a coolant solution to the first flow lumen of the probe, means connected to the probe for supplying radio frequency energy to the ablation electrode while it is being cooled by the coolant solution and means for monitoring the temperature of the ablation electrode so that the ablation electrode is maintained at a temperature below a predetermined temperature to spare the urethral wall from irreversible damage from the radio frequency energy being delivered to the ablation electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transurethral radio frequency apparatus for ablation of the prostate gland through the urethra formed by a wall, a probe consisting of a flexible elongate tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and sized so as to be adapted to be inserted into the urethra, and an ablation electrode carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. The flexible elongate tubular member is provided with first and second flow lumens for delivering a cooled fluid to the ablation electrode to cool the same. Means are connected to the probe to supply a coolant solution to the probe, to supply radio frequency energy to the electrode while it is being cooled, and to monitor the temperature of the ablation electrode so that the ablation electrode is maintained at a temperature below a predetermined temperature to spare the urethral wall from irreversible damage from the radio frequency energy delivered to the ablation electrode.
609 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. In a transurethral radio frequency apparatus for ablation of the prostate gland through the urethra formed by a urethral wall, a probe consisting of a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and being sized so as to be adapted to be inserted into the urethra, a rounded tip of non-conductive material carried by the distal extremities of the flexible elongate tubular member, a cylindrical sleeve ablation electrode formed of a conductive material carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member proximally of the rounded tip and having a bore therein and being adapted to be positioned within the prostate gland, the flexible elongate tubular member being provided therein with a first flow lumen for delivering a cooled fluid to the bore of the ablation electrode to cool the ablation electrode and a second flow lumen for returning the cooled fluid from the bore of the ablation electrode, means connected to the probe for supplying a coolant solution to the first flow lumen of the probe, means connected to the probe for supplying radio frequency energy to the ablation electrode while it is being cooled by the coolant solution and means for monitoring the temperature of the ablation electrode so that the ablation electrode is maintained at a temperature below a predetermined temperature to spare the urethral wall from irreversible damage from the radio frequency energy being delivered to the ablation electrode.
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10. In a method for radio frequency ablation of tissue in the prostate gland by the use of a probe adapted to be inserted into the urethra formed by a urethral wall into the prostrate gland and having an electrode carried by the distal tip thereof, supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode to cause radio frequency energy to be introduced into the tissue of the prostate gland and cooling the electrode while radio frequency energy is being applied to the same so that the temperature at the urethral wall is maintained below 50°
- C. so as to prevent irreversible damage to the urethral wall during the time radio frequency energy is being supplied to tissue in the prostrate gland to ablate tissue in the prostate gland.
- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
Specification