Method of treating the prostate using cryosurgery
First Claim
1. In a method of cryosurgical treatment of the prostate including freezing at least a portion of the prostate with at least one cryosurgical probe, the improvement comprising:
- inserting a surgical instrument having a retracted flexible sheet material between the prostate and rectum; and
actuating the surgical instrument to extend the flexible sheet material to form a thermal barrier interposed between the prostate and the rectum to reduce heat transfer from the rectum to the prostate and to thereby reduce the likelihood of tissue destruction of the rectum from the cryosurgical treatment.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument comprising a supporting structure and a thermal barrier coupled to the supporting structure. The barrier is sized and adapted for placement between the prostate and rectum during cryosurgical treatment of the prostate. The supporting structure includes a frame movable between an extended position and a retracted position and a handle coupled to the frame. The barrier includes flexible sheet material mounted on the frame and movable with the frame between the extended and retracted positions. The barrier is substantially sonolucent allowing ultrasound visualization of areas beyond the barrier.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a method of cryosurgical treatment of the prostate including freezing at least a portion of the prostate with at least one cryosurgical probe, the improvement comprising:
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inserting a surgical instrument having a retracted flexible sheet material between the prostate and rectum; and actuating the surgical instrument to extend the flexible sheet material to form a thermal barrier interposed between the prostate and the rectum to reduce heat transfer from the rectum to the prostate and to thereby reduce the likelihood of tissue destruction of the rectum from the cryosurgical treatment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In a method of cryosurgical treatment of the prostate including freezing at least a portion of the prostate with at least one cryosurgical probe, the improvement comprising:
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inserting a surgical instrument having a pair of lever sections supporting a retracted flexible sheet material between the prostate and the rectum; and actuating the surgical instrument to extend the pair of lever sections such that the flexible sheet material forms a thermal barrier interposed between the prostate and the rectum to reduce the heat transfer from the rectum to the prostate to thereby reduce the likelihood of tissue destruction of the rectum due to the cryosurgical treatment. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. In a method of cryosurgical treatment of the prostate including freezing at least a portion of the prostate with at least one cryosurgical probe, the improvement comprising:
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inserting a surgical instrument having a pair of lever sections supporting a retracted sonolucent flexible sheet material between the prostate and the rectum; and actuating the surgical instrument to extend the pair of lever sections such that the flexible sheet material forms a thermal barrier interposed between the prostate and the rectum to reduce heat transfer between the prostate and the rectum to thereby reduce the likelihood of tissue destruction of the rectum. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification