초록 ▼

An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for

An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for absorbing thermal energy conducted by the tissue and asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna--a greater amount of electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of the shaft. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it cylindrically asymmetrical, which effectively focuses microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate anterior and lateral to the urethra, and away from healthy tissue posterior to the urethra.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A heat therapy system for prostate treatment comprising:an elongate probe sized for insertion into a urethra; andan electromagnetic energy system comprising an electromagnetic energy generator external to the probe, an electromagnetic energy transmission line carried by t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A heat therapy system for prostate treatment comprising:an elongate probe sized for insertion into a urethra; andan electromagnetic energy system comprising an electromagnetic energy generator external to the probe, an electromagnetic energy transmission line carried by the probe and electrically connectable to the generator, and a radiating helical dipole antenna carried by the probe and being electrically connected to the transmission line, the helical dipole antenna including a first helically wound section and a second helically wound section and having a physical length of about 1.5 to 4.0 centimeters, wherein the electromagnetic energy generator is operable to generate sufficient electromagnetic energy at a frequency of about 915 MHZ to produce via the radiating helical dipole antenna heat in the prostate in excess of 45.degree. C.