Transurethral radio frequency apparatus for ablation of the prostate gland and method
US5520684A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 28, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1497
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.