Apparatus and method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia
First Claim
1. A method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of a prostate, comprising:
- placing a set of electrically conductive electrodes in the body of a patient near a BPH tissue to be treated; and
applying, through the placed electrodes, a plurality of electric pulses in an amount sufficient to irreversibly open pores in the membranes of the BPH tissue so as to cause irreversible electroporation necrosis of the BPH tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are disclosed. The apparatus includes an applicator piece carrying a set of electrodes shaped and positioned to create a substantial electric field in the volume of hyperplasia and a pulse generator adapted for delivery of electrical pulses above the upper electroporation limit for the neoplastic cells. The amplitude, duration and number of the electrical pulses are generally selected to cause necrosis of a significant fraction of the volume of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The apparatus may include a high frequency system for heating the prostatic tissue and a cooling system for cooling the urethra. The combined action of heating and cooling may increase the temperature of the prostate cells to 45 degrees C. to 55 degrees C., while keeping the urinary tract at a temperature 15 degrees C. to 20 degrees C. This temperature distribution can increase the selectivity of the treatment by increasing susceptibility of the neoplastic cells to the electroporation treatment and decreasing it for the normal urethral tissues.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of a prostate, comprising:
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placing a set of electrically conductive electrodes in the body of a patient near a BPH tissue to be treated; and applying, through the placed electrodes, a plurality of electric pulses in an amount sufficient to irreversibly open pores in the membranes of the BPH tissue so as to cause irreversible electroporation necrosis of the BPH tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of a prostate, comprising:
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piercing a perineum to place a set of electrically conductive electrodes in the body of a patient near a BPH tissue to be treated; and applying, through the placed electrodes, a plurality of electric pulses with each pulse having a duration of at least 10 microseconds and having an amplitude of at least 1000 volts/cm to irreversibly open pores in the membranes of the BPH tissue so as to cause irreversible electroporation necrosis of the BPH tissue. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification