Balloon catheter method for intra-urethral radio-frequency urethral enlargement
US6447505B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2218/007
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation instrument passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. An electrode is coupled to a high-frequency power supply to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. Guidance of the electrode placement may be monitored by an imaging device. The instrument may consist of a catheter with an inflatable balloon structure for positioning the instrument. The temperature of the tissue may be sensed at the electrode to control the high-frequency heating energy and ablation process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.