Microwave medical treatment apparatus and method

US6944504B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• G. Dickey Arndt · Friendswood, US
• Phong H. Ngo · Friendswood, US
• James R. Carl · Houston, US
• W. Raffoul George · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 19, 2002
• Grant date: Sep 13, 2005
• Expiry date: Jul 13, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N5/045
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods, simulations, and apparatus are provided that may be utilized for medical treatments which are especially suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of separate microwave antennas are utilized to heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. By utilizing constructive and destructive interference of the microwave transmission, the energy can be deposited on the tissues to be necrosed while protecting other tissues such as the urethra. Saline injections to alter the conductivity of the tissues may also be used to further focus the energy deposits. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of one or more catheters and the methods of applying microwave energy, a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.