Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for delivering controlled heat independently on separate channels to perform ablation to treat benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). The dual channel power system provides independent control of radio frequency energy to each of two stylets protruding from a catheter into a human prostate through the urethra. The energy is independently transferred directly into the respective tissue around the stylets in such a manner as to provide respective tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off of both channels occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceeds predetermined safe temperature limits. Automatic shut off of the individual channels occurs when the temperature of the tissue proximal to the respective stylet exceeds respective predetermined values. The dual channel system is microprocessor controlled and contains self-test startup and thermocouple autocalibration circuitry.
Abstract:
A medical probe for the heating of soft tissue, such as collagen tissue, wherein the medical probe has an elongated body with a proximal and distal end, a heating source, an RF electrode. Optional components include a thermocouple, and an insulative sleeve. The probe's elongated body is preferably hollow and flexible. The RF electrode and the heating source are powered by independently controlled power sources and cooperate to maintain a constant and smooth temperature to the distal end of the RF electrode. The heating source may be a contained liquid, such as saline, or an electrothermal mass, such as a ferrite, a toroid, a resistive element, or the like. Current induced from the conductor to the heating source creates heat in the heating source. The thermocouple measures the temperature of the heating source and adjusts the power to the conductor to maintain the heating source's temperature.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus is disclosed for delivering controlled heat to perform ablation to treat the benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). According to the method and the apparatus, the energy is transferred directly into the tissue mass which is to be treated in such a manner as to provide tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceed predetermined safe temperature limits. The constant application of the radio frequency energy over a maintained determined time provides a safe procedure which avoids electrosurgical and other invasive operations while providing fast relief to BPH with a short recovery time. The procedure may be accomplished in a doctor's office without the need for hospitalization or surgery.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus is disclosed for delivering controlled heat to perform ablation to treat the benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). According to the method and the apparatus, the energy is transferred directly into the tissue mass which is to be treated in such a manner as to provide tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceed predetermined safe temperature limits. The constant application of the radio frequency energy over a maintained determined time provides a safe procedure which avoids electrosurgical and other invasive operations while providing fast relief to BPH with a short recovery time. The procedure may be accomplished in a doctor's office without the need for hospitalization or surgery.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus is disclosed for delivering controlled heat to perform ablation to treat the benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). According to the method and the apparatus, the energy is transferred directly into the tissue mass which is to be treated in such a manner as to provide tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceed predetermined safe temperature limits. The constant application of the radio frequency energy over a maintained determined time provides a safe procedure which avoids electrosurgical and other invasive operations while providing fast relief to BPH with a short recovery time. The procedure may be accomplished in a doctor's office without the need for hospitalization or surgery.
Abstract:
An electrode catheter assembly for ablation of obstructive material formed within and around a stent inserted within a lumen includes an elongate flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, and an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the tube. The electrode assembly includes: a first electrode formed by a cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end, and an opposite second end, the body having a plurality of slits formed therein, each of the slits extending parallel to the axis from a corresponding first point proximate the first end to a corresponding second point proximate the second end, the slits defining a plurality of elongated deformable segments; and a second electrode disposed along the axis at a distance from the first electrode. A spacer means, disposed between the first and second electrodes, is operative to physically separate and electrically insulate the first electrode from the second electrode. Electrical transmission means provides a first electrical path between a power supply and the first electrode, and a second electrical path between the second electrode and the power supply. Actuator means is provided for moving the first end toward the second end of the body causing the segments to be deformed so that portions thereof are extended radially away from the axis, whereby when the catheter assembly is inserted into a lumen and positioned within an occluded stent, the deformable segments establish an electrically conductive path to the stent.
Abstract:
An electrosurgical aspiration instrument that permits aspiration of an area being treated by the instrument. The instrument is coupled at a proximal end to a power source and includes an energy application surface area at a distal end. The power source supplied energy to the energy application surface area such that the distal end of the instrument may apply energy to the treatment area to modify the characteristics of biological material, such as biological tissue in the area. An aspiration lumen is formed through the instrument with an opening through the energy application surface area. The energy application surface area is configured to reduce blockage of the opening. Accordingly, aspiration may be performed simultaneously with electrosurgical treatment whereby unwanted matter such as by-products, biological debris and excess fluid is removed from the treatment area. The electrosurgical aspiration instrument also permits both functions to be performed at different times, with the advantage of not requiring instruments to be switched on during the treatment procedure or removed from the treatment site.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus is disclosed for delivering controlled heat to perform ablation to treat the benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). According to the method and the apparatus, the energy is transferred directly into the tissue mass which is to be treated in such a manner as to provide tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceed predetermined safe temperature limits. The constant application of the radio frequency energy over a maintained determined time provides a safe procedure which avoids electrosurgical and other invasive operations while providing fast relief to BPH with a short recovery time. The procedure may be accomplished in a doctor's office without the need for hospitalization or surgery.
Abstract:
An energy emitting apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller connected to the one or more energy generators, and optionally one or more sensors that are connected to the logic controller for detecting muscle stimulation or electric conduction in a target nerve. The energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy can be varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. In certain embodiments, the energy emitting apparatus includes one or more conductive coils that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current. In certain embodiments, a variety of cooling mechanisms or systems may be implemented for cooling the coil.
Abstract:
Energy emitting systems are provided which include an adjustable conductive coil configured to generate a magnetic or electromagnetic field focused on a target nerve. The coil includes a central aperture which may be adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration having a radius greater than the radius of the first configuration. The adjustable or movable nature of the coil allows the conductive coil to conform to, accommodate, or be positioned on a particular anatomical structure of a patient to position the coil in proximity to the underlying target nerve. In certain embodiments, methods of magnetic induction therapy are provided which include positioning a conductive coil relative to a portion of a patient's body by adjusting the central aperture of the coil such that the coil may conform to, accommodate or be positioned on the portion of the patient's body in proximity to the underlying target nerve.