System and method for transurethral heating with rectal cooling
AssigneeUrologix, Inc.
InventorJonathan L. Flachman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for treating a prostate of a patient is disclosed. The system includes a rectal probe for insertion into a rectum of the patient. A fluid supply system connected to the rectal probe supplies fluid to the rectal probe. A microwave radiation system, which is positioned anterior to the rectum of the patient, heats tumorous tissue of the prostate. The combination of the microwave radiation system and the fluid supplied to the rectal probe creates an asymmetrical heating pattern about a urethra of the patient and protects tissue adjacent to the rectal probe from thermal damage during radiation of the tumorous tissue.
Claims18
A rectal probe apparatus comprising:
- a probe body selected from the group consisting of an inflatable balloon and a preshaped noninflatable body configured to conform to a rectal cavity, the probe body having a plurality of longitudinally extending lumens adjacent to one side of the probe body, the plurality of lumens having a cross-sectional area substantially less than that of the probe body;
- and
- means for providing a coolant to the plurality of lumens.
A prostate treatment system comprising:
- a rectal probe comprising an outer perimeter, a plurality of cooling lumens adjacent to the outer perimeter on a first side of the rectal probe, and means for providing a cooling fluid to the cooling lumens;
- and
- energy-delivering means located outside a rectum for providing microwave radiation to a prostate of a patient.
A method of treating a prostate of a patient, comprising:
- inserting a rectal probe into a rectum of the patient, the rectal probe having a plurality of lumens adjacent to an outer perimeter thereof;
- positioning the rectal probe within the rectum such that the outer perimeter of the rectal probe conforms to a rectal wall and the plurality of lumens are located adjacent to an anterior side of the rectum;
- supplying a cooling fluid to the plurality of lumens adjacent to the outer perimeter of the rectal probe;
- and
- applying microwave radiation from a transurethral catheter to heat a portion of the prostate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.