초록 ▼

A method of selectively treating interstitial tissue following microwave thermal therapy includes an intraurethral Foley-type catheter shaft. The catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna which is capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern in tissue, within which temperature

A method of selectively treating interstitial tissue following microwave thermal therapy includes an intraurethral Foley-type catheter shaft. The catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna which is capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern in tissue, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45°C. The antenna is surrounded by means within the shaft for asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna so as to concentrate thermal energy on a first side of the shaft. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it possible to focus microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous tissue and away from healthy tissue. The absorption means is also capable of absorbing heat from adjacent tissue by thermal conduction. Operation of the absorption means upon the conclusion of microwave thermal therapy aids in reducing edema of the treated tissues caused by the elevated temperatures of those tissues.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising: inserting a microwave antenna-containing catheter shaft into a urethra so as to position the microwave antenna adjacent a prostatic region of the urethra, the catheter shaft having a first lumen and a second lumen, the first and second l

A method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising: inserting a microwave antenna-containing catheter shaft into a urethra so as to position the microwave antenna adjacent a prostatic region of the urethra, the catheter shaft having a first lumen and a second lumen, the first and second lumens circumjacent the microwave antenna; providing a drive signal the antenna to apply an RF emission to tissue surrounding the urethra, the RF emission causing molecular excitation of tissue surrounding the urethra sufficient to heat the tissue; circulating a fluid through the first lumen and the second lumen while providing the drive signal to absorb energy emitted by the antenna and heat conducted by tissue adjacent an outer surface of the shaft; and continuing to circulate the fluid through the first lumen and second lumen for a period of at least about 10 minutes after the drive signal is terminated.