Methods and systems for low frequency mechanical treatment of the prostate

• US 8,167,830 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerardo V. Noriega
• Original Assignee: Gerardo V. Noriega
• Inventors: Noriega, Gerardo V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANDER, DIVA KAKAR
• Application Number:
  US11/963,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/544
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 21/00 Massage devices for cavities of the body , e.g. nose, ears and anus for the genitals A61H19/00; Vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia rely on imparting a low frequency vibration to the prostate. A treatment catheter is introduced through the urethra, and the vibrating element on the catheter energized within the prostate. The low frequency vibration reduces pressure from the prostate on the urethra, possibly by inducing apoptosis of smooth muscle cells.

Claims

1. A method for successfully treating benign prostate hyperplasia, the method comprising:

delivering vibrational energy to tissue in the prostate sufficient to induce apoptosis in smooth muscles in the prostate sufficient to produce a volumetric reduction in the prostate and successfully treat the hyperplasia,

wherein the vibrational energy is delivered from within the prostate from a treatment element disposed within a urethra,

wherein a treatment element induces is laterally displaced at a frequency of from 20 Hz to 200 Hz, and

wherein the treatment element has a lateral displacement amplitude of 1 mm to 5 mm.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising:

introducing the treatment element in a urethra proximate a prostatic constriction; and

vibrating the treatment element to relieve prostatic constriction.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the lateral displacement of the treating element has an amplitude in the range from 1 mm to 2 mm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein vibrational energy is provided by rotating an eccentric weight coupled to the treatment element.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein vibrational energy is provided by rotating an asymmetric drive shaft.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the treating element comprises a balloon surrounding a vibrating element, further comprising inflating the balloon to engage an inner wall of the urethra adjacent the prostate.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising expanding an anchoring element to stabilize the treatment element.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the anchoring element comprises an inflatable balloon.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising injecting a prostate before, concurrent with, or after delivering vibrational energy.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the vibrating element is on a catheter and injecting comprises advancing an injection element into the prostate from the catheter.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein vibrating treatment is carried out for a time from the range from 30 minutes to 60 minutes.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the vibrating treatment is performed more than once in a minute.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the lateral displacement of the treating element has an amplitude in the range from 2 mm to 5 mm.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the vibrating element is on a catheter having a shaft and an external surface of the shaft directly engages a urethral wall to deliver the vibrational energy without an inflation balloon.