Method and system for performing intraurethral radio-frequency urethral enlargement

A method of inducing a urethral enlargement at the prostate within an operative field of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• inserting an electrode into the urethra through the penis to a region of the prostate in the operative field without piercing the wall of the urethra;
• connecting the electrode to a high-frequency generator located external to the operative field;
• and
• heating the region of the prostate within the operative field by applying an output from the high-frequency generator to the tissue within the operative field through the electrode sufficient to elevate the temperature of a portion of the urethra in the region of the prostate to at least 50° C. to induce ablation of the portion of the prostate, thereby causing enlargement of the urethra.

A system for intraurethral high-frequency heating of an operative field comprising the prostate of a patient to accomplish enlargement of the patient's urethra, comprising:

• a generator of a high-frequency electrical signal;
• an endoscope adapted to be inserted into the urethra through the penis of the patient;
• an electrode adapted to be inserted through the endoscope, wherein the electrode has an electrically conductive tip that is blunt to inhibit piercing of the urethral wall and an elongated shaft which is in part electrically insulated, the shaft having a length sufficient to enable the electrically conductive tip to extend out of a distal end of the endoscope and be positioned within the urethra at a position within the prostate;
• and
• an electrical connection between the conductive tip and the generator, allowing the high-frequency electrical signal from the generator to induce ablative heating of a portion of the urethra and a portion of prostate tissue near the urethra when the conductive tip is placed within the urethra at the position within the prostate, thereby causing urethral enlargement.

A system for intraurethral high-frequency heating of a patient's prostate to accomplish enlargement of the patient's urethra, comprising:

• a generator of a high-frequency electrical signal;
• an electrode adapted to be inserted into the urethra through the penis of the patient, wherein the electrode has a non-cooled electrically conductive portion capable of being positioned within the urethra proximate to the prostate;
• and
• an electrical connection between the conductive portion and the generator, allowing the high-frequency electrical signal from the generator to induce ablative heating of a portion of the urethra and a portion of prostate tissue near the urethra, thereby causing urethral enlargement.