Method and apparatus for the surgical treatment of tissues by thermal effect, and in particular the prostate, using a urethral microwave-emitting probe means

A method for the surgical treatment of the prostate, comprising:

• (a) positioning a urethral emitting probe in the urethra, said urethral emitting probe having a front end, a rear end, and a microwave antenna located in the vicinity of said front end and connected to an external microwave generating device;
• (b) inserting said urethral emitting probe into the urethra until said microwave antenna reaches the level of the prostate;
• and
• (c) activating said microwave generating device for generating microwaves at 1300 MHz.+-.50 MHz through said microwave antenna towards said prostate at a power effective to heat said prostate to a predetermined temperature range for a period of time sufficient to treat said prostate by thermal effect.

An apparatus for the surgical treatment of the prostate by thermal effect, comprising

• an external means for generating electromagnetic energy;
• a urethral emitting probe dimensioned for insertion in the urethra, said probe having a front end, a rear end, and an electromagnetic device for generating heat located in the vicinity of said front end and connected to said external means for generating electromagnetic energy;
• means extending substantially the full length of the electromagnetic device for cooling the urethra for protecting the urethra from the heat produced by said electromagnetic device, at least at the level of the prostate;
• means for activating said electromagnetic energy generating means for generating electromagnetic energy through said electromagnetic device towards said prostate at a frequency and a power effective to heat said prostate to a predetermined temperature range for a period of time sufficient to treat said prostate by thermal effect while said cooling means minimizes damage to the urethral wall.

An apparatus for the surgical treatment of the prostate, comprising:

• a urethral emitting probe dimensioned for insertion in the urethra, said urethral emitting probe having a front end, a rear end, and a microwave antenna located in the vicinity of said front end;
• an external microwave generating device connected to said antenna;
• and
• means for activating said microwave generating device for generating microwaves at 1300 MHz.+-.50 MHz through said microwave antenna towards said prostate at a power effective to heat said prostate to a predetermined temperature range for a period of time sufficient to treat said prostate by thermal effect.