Device and method for asymmetrical thermal therapy with helical dipole microwave antenna

A method of providing a heat therapy to a prostate via a urethra without damaging rectal tissue, the method comprising:

• inserting a probe carrying a radiating antenna into the urethra to a level of the prostate;
• circulating a coolant around the radiating antenna, between the radiating antenna and the urethra, the volume of coolant being greater in the vicinity of the urethra adjacent to the rectal tissue than in the vicinity of the urethra distant from the rectal tissue;
• and
• driving the antenna with electromagnetic energy at a frequency of about 915 MHz to selectively necrose prostate tissue without necrosing the urethra and the rectal tissue.

A method of treating a prostate via a urethra, the method comprising:

• inserting a radiating antenna into the urethra to a level of the prostate, the radiating antenna being electrically connected to an electromagnetic energy generator external to the urethra;
• positioning the radiating antenna closer to a first side of the urethra distant from a rectal wall than to a second side of the urethra adjacent to the rectal wall;
• operating the generator to energize the antenna;
• and
• circulating a coolant between the radiating antenna and the urethra, wherein the step of circulating comprises circulating a greater volume of the coolant adjacent to the second side of the urethra than the volume of coolant being circulated adjacent to the first side of the urethra.