Apparatus for thermal therapy of prostate gland with ultrasound energy

An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:

• a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway;
• a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube;
• a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland;
• and
• means for directing the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland;
• wherein the first ultrasound transducer includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the means for directing the generated ultrasound energy further comprises means for activating only the first portion so that treatment is directed to a selected region of the prostate gland.

An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:

• a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway;
• a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland;
• and
• a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer;
• wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland;
• wherein the first ultrasound transducer includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein only the first portion delivers energy so that treatment is directed to a selected region of the prostate gland;
• and
• an outer electrode surface surrounding the ultrasound transducer.

An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:

• a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway;
• a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland;
• and
• a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer;
• wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland;
• and
• a second ultrasound transducer adjacent to the first ultrasound transducer along the support member, the first and second ultrasound transducers being electrically isolated from each other, the second ultrasound transducer coupled to a second power lead such that the first and second ultrasound transducers may be powered independently.

An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:

• a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway;
• a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland;
• and
• a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer;
• wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland;
• and
• an outer cover disposed over the first ultrasound transducer, and a fluid disposed between the transducer and the outer cover, the fluid providing efficient coupling of the ultrasound energy into the prostate gland.

An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:

• a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway;
• a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland;
• and
• a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer;
• wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland;
• wherein the first ultrasound transducer includes a first portion and a second portion;
• and
• wherein the first portion and the second portion are individually powered so that either the first portion or the second portion provide specific radial direction for the delivery of ultrasound energy to a selected region of the prostate gland.

An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:

• a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway;
• a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube;
• a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland;
• means for directing the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland;
• wherein the first ultrasound transducer comprises an outer electrode surface;
• and
• wherein the means for directing the generated ultrasound energy comprises removing a section of the outer electrode surface to form the second portion of the ultrasound transducer.

An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:

• a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway;
• a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube;
• a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland;
• means for directing the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland;
• and
• a second ultrasound transducer, and a means for controlling delivery of energy between the first and second ultrasound transducers to control the longitudinal extent of the ultrasound energy distribution.