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Urological stent therapy system and method

  • US 5,830,179 A
  • Filed: 04/09/1996
  • Issued: 11/03/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a prostate gland by inserting a stent within the prostatic urethra of a patient, said method comprising:

  • providing a metallic stent sized and dimensioned to fit within the prostatic urethra of a patient;

    providing a stent delivery catheter suitable for insertion into the prostatic urethra;

    mounting the stent on the stent delivery catheter, inserting the stent delivery catheter with the stent mounted thereon into the prostatic urethra, and placing the stent within the urethra;

    heating the stent by applying RF energy to the stent, including heating the stent to a temperature high enough to cause thermal damage to the prostate gland;

    ceasing the heating of the stent when a portion of the prostate gland has been thermally damaged;

    allowing the prostate gland to heal after it is thermally damaged, and leaving the stent in the prostatic urethra while the prostate gland is healing;

    removing the stent from the prostatic urethra when the prostate gland has substantially healed from the thermal damage.

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