Urethral inserted applicator for prostate hyperthermia

An electromagnetic radiation applicator apparatus for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising:

• a catheter means for insertion into the urethra including a fluid free tube, a temperature sensor supporting tube, and an applicator support portion adjacent to a first end of the fluid free tube;
• an applicator means including a coaxial cable mounted in the fluid free tube and an applicator mounted on the applicator support portion and connected to the coaxial cable for radiating electromagnetic energy into tissue adjacent to the applicator;
• a temperature sensor means including a temperature sensor inserted in the temperature supporting tube for monitoring the temperature of the tissue adjacent to the applicator;
• an electromagnetic energy generating means connected to the applicator means for supplying electromagnetic energy thereto;
• a control means including a temperature reference means for setting a selected reference temperature to which the tissue is to be heated and a comparator connected to the temperature sensor means and temperature reference means for producing control signals;
• and
• said electromagnetic energy generating means being connected to the control means and responsive to the control signals for supplying electromagnetic energy to the applicator means sufficient to elevating the tissue temperature to the selected reference temperature and maintaining the tissue at the selected temperature during treatment.

A urethral inserted applicator for benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment by heating the prostate tissue surrounding the urethra using electromagnetic energy comprising:

• a multi-tube urinary catheter, said catheter having an insertion tip end for insertion into the urethra, a fluid dry tube closed at the insertion tip end, and an isolated open ended tube for urine drainage;
• a coil type outwardly radiating antenna means including a coil mounted on the catheter and having an end toward the insertion tip end of the catheter, and a coaxial cable positioned in the fluid dry tube and having a center conductor and an outer conductor, the coil being connected to the center conductor of the coaxial cable at its end toward the insertion tip end of the catheter, and to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable at its end opposite the insertion tip end of the catheter;
• and
• dielectric insulation means covering the coil for preventing direct contact of the coil with the tissue.

A system for controlling hyperthermia for benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising:

• a flexible catheter for insertion into the urethra, said catheter having an applicator means thereon for applying microwave energy to tissues of a prostate gland surrounding the urethra to thereby cause heating of said tissues and a microwave compatible temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heated tissues;
• a microwave generating means for producing microwaves having a preselected frequency, said microwave generating means being connected to the applicator means to supply microwave to the applicator means;
• and
• a comparator means interconnecting the microwave generating means and microwave compatible temperature sensor for comparing the measured temperature level to a preselected reference temperature level and outputting control signals to the microwave generating means for controlling the supply of microwave power to the applicator means to control the tissue temperature.