488 results about "Prostate gland" patented technology

A method and system for the delivery of radiofrequency energy to the tissue, particularly, the prostate, to alleviate the symptoms of BPH is disclosed. The system incorporates a bipolar or multipolar electrode array to create an electric field where the heat created is confined solely to a specific volume of the prostate gland and therefore the heated tissue is defined only by the electrode geometry. The bipolar electrode array provides a variety of three dimensional, symmetric heating patterns within the prostatic tissue depending on the relative electrode lengths and angular separation. The system provides precision tissue temperature and impedance measurements thereby enabling the surgeon to accurately predict heating pattern performance and tissue response to RF heating.

A system and method for discriminating tissue types, controlling the level of therapy to tissue, and determining the health or a known tissue by measuring the characteristics an electrical signal applied to conductive element located within or by the tissue. Additionally, the system and method may be used for determining whether the conductive tip of a pedicle probe or pedicle screw is located in one of cortical bone, cancellous bone, and cortical bone near a boundary with soft tissue, whether the conductive tip of a cannula is located adjacent to one of nerve tissue and annulus tissue, and whether the conductive tip of a cathode is located adjacent to one of nerve tissue and prostate gland tissue.

An apparatus and a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are disclosed. The apparatus includes an applicator piece carrying a set of electrodes shaped and positioned to create a substantial electric field in the volume of hyperplasia and a pulse generator adapted for delivery of electrical pulses above the upper electroporation limit for the neoplastic cells. The amplitude, duration and number of the electrical pulses are generally selected to cause necrosis of a significant fraction of the volume of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The apparatus may include a high frequency system for heating the prostatic tissue and a cooling system for cooling the urethra. The combined action of heating and cooling may increase the temperature of the prostate cells to 45 degrees C. to 55 degrees C., while keeping the urinary tract at a temperature 15 degrees C. to 20 degrees C. This temperature distribution can increase the selectivity of the treatment by increasing susceptibility of the neoplastic cells to the electroporation treatment and decreasing it for the normal urethral tissues.

This invention relates generally to the targeting and biopsy of tissue for medical purposes, and more particularly to a targeted biopsy system which allows planning of tissue to be sampled, targeting of specific areas of tissue in reference to the plan, capturing the tissue sample and recording the source location of the tissue sample, particularly for use in collecting tissue samples from the prostate gland. A further purpose of this invention is to provide a targeted treatment system which allows planning of tissue to be treated, targeting of specific areas of tissue in reference to the plan, and delivering the treatment to the targeted tissue.

Methods, systems, and computer program products for obtaining a sample in vivo and / or treating a subject include positioning an elongated transurethral catheter in the prostatic urethra of a subject, the catheter having a bladder anchoring balloon, at least one biosample entry port disposed axially away from the bladder anchoring balloon, and an axially extending biosample flow channel in fluid communication with the biosample entry port held internally in the catheter. The anchoring balloon is inflated to position the catheter so that the fluid entry port is proximate the prostatic urethra of the subject and prostatic fluid is suctioned from the prostatic urethra into the biosample entry port and into the biosample flow channel. The catheter can include a thermal treatment balloon and / or dilatation balloon and the suctioned sample can be obtained concurrently with, during, or proximate in time to the applied treatment. The catheter can be configured to allow urine to drain therethrough during the treatment / collection of the sample while keeping the urine isolated from the collected prostatic fluid sample.

An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, comprising a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway, a power lead channeled through the longitudinal central passageway and an ultrasound crystal disposed around at least part of the support tube. The ultrasound crystal is coupled to the power lead which provides the power to energize the ultrasound crystal and generate ultrasound energy providing thermal therapy to the prostate gland. The ultrasound crystal further includes inactivated portions for reducing ultrasound energy directed to the rectal wall of the patient. A sealant is disposed in contact with the ultrasound crystal allowing vibration necessary for efficient ultrasound energy radiation for the thermal therapy to the prostate gland.

An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular and / or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes which expand with open ends around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, and / or nerve fibers in the outer layer or deep to the outer layer of the vessel, or in prostatic tissue. The system also includes means to limit and / or adjust the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into and beyond the tissue of the vessel wall. The preferred embodiment of the catheter includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened injection needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.

A prostatic stent is configured as a unitary body, which is adapted to reside above the sphincter when in position in a subject and allow normal functioning of the sphincter. The stent includes and elongated and substantially narrow conduit, which extends through the sphincter and outside the body of the subject. The conduit is sized and constructed to allow normal operation of the sphincter. The stent also includes and upper and / or an intermediate inflatable portions and may include a second conduit for the introduction of medication to the stent.

The present invention provides a method of treating an ocular condition in an eye of a patient, comprising the step of placing a biodegradable intraocular implant in an eye of the patient, the implant comprising a prostamide and a biodegradable polymer matrix that releases drug at a rate effective to sustain release of an amount of the prostamide from the implant to provide an amount of the prostamide effective to prevent or reduce a symptom of an ocular condition of the eye, wherein said ocular condition is elevated IOP and said implant is placed in an intracameral location to dilate the outflow channels of the eye emanating from Schlemm's Canal.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus to insert a needle through a predetermined trajectory and with a predetermined depth, in order to reach a target accurately within soft tissue, under ultrasound imaging guidance. The invention can be applied to carry out, for example, prostate biopsy, or prostate brachytherapy. The apparatus can guide a biopsy needle into defined sites in the prostate gland. A conical approach is used to reach the prostate through one or more pivot points on the perineal wall. The biopsy needle penetrates the patient's skin through the pivot point for multiple cores. The apparatus holds a needle sheath with two ball joints. The orientation of the needle sheath is controlled by locking the front ball joint at the pivot point, and moving the back ball joint on a virtual plane. The biopsy needle is inserted manually through the needle sheath. The depth of the insertion is controlled by the position of the stopper on the biopsy gun holder. Both the orientation and depth stopper are preferably driven by motors.

A system for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) of a prostate. At least first and second mono-polar electrodes are configured to be introduced at or near a BPH tissue site of the prostate gland of the patient. A voltage pulse generator is coupled to the first and second mono-polar electrodes. The voltage pulse generator is configured to apply sufficient electrical pulses between the first and second mono-polar electrodes to induce electroporation of cells in the BPH tissue site, to create necrosis of cells of the BPH tissue site, but insufficient to create a thermal damaging effect to a majority of the BPH tissue site.

Methods, simulations, and apparatus are provided that may be utilized for medical treatments which are especially suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of separate microwave antennas are utilized to heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. By utilizing constructive and destructive interference of the microwave transmission, the energy can be deposited on the tissues to be necrosed while protecting other tissues such as the urethra. Saline injections to alter the conductivity of the tissues may also be used to further focus the energy deposits. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of one or more catheters and the methods of applying microwave energy, a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of the catheter and method of applying microwave energy a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

The prostate gland or other region of interest is stimulated with laser light, resulting in ultrasound waves (photoacoustic effect) which are focused by an acoustic lens and captured by a specific 1- or 2D sensor array and subsequently displayed as a C-scan on a computer screen. The amplitude of the ultrasound waves generated by laser stimulation is proportional to the optical absorption of the tissue element at that spatial location. Variability in tissue absorption results in C-scan image contrast. The photoacoustic imaging is combined with an ultrasound C-scan image produced with a plane ultrasound wave applied to the region of interest.

PCT No. PCT / SE96 / 00607 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 12, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 12, 1997 PCT Filed May 9, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96 / 35395 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 14, 1996A device for maintaining a passage through the prostate gland (13) after treatment of a catheter (10) inserted through the urethra into the prostate gland, the catheter (10) being provided with means (11) for heating the prostate gland. A sleeve (12) is received over the catheter (10) so as to follow the catheter (10) during insertion into a desired position within the prostate gland, and the sleeve (12) is formed to remain in the desired position when the catheter is removed from the prostate gland, thereby maintaining a passage having a predetermined lower inner diameter through the prostate gland when tissue in the prostate gland swells.

This invention describes a partially absorbable, fiber-reinforced composite in the form of a ring, or a suture-like thread, with modified terminals for use as a controlled delivery system of at least one bioactive agent, wherein said composite comprising an absorbable fiber construct capable of providing time-dependent mechanical properties of a biostable elastomeric matrix containing an absorbable microparticulate ion-exchanger to modulate the release of the bioactive agent(s) for a desired period(s) of time at a specific biological site; this can be a vaginal canal, peritoneal cavity, scrotum, prostate gland, an ear loop or subcutaneous tissue. Such drug delivery systems can be used for the local administration of at least one bioactive agent, including those used as contraceptive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and / or antiviral agents as well as for cancer treatment.

The longevity medicated wine and its manufacture method, which uses 60 - 65 Deg. C pure valley white liquor, adding furl seal's kidney, deer's muscle, the winter Chinese caterpillar fungus, the melinda officinalis, Beiqi, Tianma, the seahorse, the gecko and so on 75 kinds of Chinese native medicines raw material for soaking, latter adds the white sugar and the tap water configuration. This invention medicated wine enhances men's and women's sexual dive energy, strengthens the human body vigor for mainly, makes up cloudyly and fortifies female, the synthesis recuperates the human body vital organs of the human body, expels sickness and builds up strength, thus achieves the benefit goal which prolongs the life. Its manufacture method is simple, the medicated wine soaking output contains Chinese native medicine ingredient content which obtains is high, the medicated wine palatableness is good, the feeling in the mouth is pure, preserves long. Long-time drinking can nourish the human body in vital organs, as well balances human body distributed masculine and feminine elements, and promotes metabolism, makes up the vitality, the strong physique, which prevents disease and expels sickness, the effect of prolonging the life. Regarding the hypertension, sleepless, the sexual impotence, the kidney empty lumbago, the prostate gland disease, the rheumatic arthritis, the asthma, the woman post-natal is weak, irregular menses and so on sickness also has the effect of better treatment. Stopping from pain also is its advantage.

The invention is directed to a technique for delivering a denervating agent to a patient's prostate gland. In particular, the invention is directed to a transurethral technique for delivering the denervating agent. Devices and systems are also described for use in implementing the technique.

An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular and / or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes which expand around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, and / or nerve fibers in the outer layer or deep to the outer layer of the vessel, or in prostatic tissue. The system may also include a means to limit and / or adjust the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into and beyond the tissue of the vessel wall. The catheter may also include structures which provide radial and / or lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes expand uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened injection needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.

An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular and / or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes which expand around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, and / or nerve fibers in the outer layer or deep to the outer layer of the vessel, or in prostatic tissue. The system may also include a means to limit and / or adjust the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into and beyond the tissue of the vessel wall. The catheter may also include structures which provide radial and / or lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes expand uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened injection needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.

The invention is directed to techniques for providing electrical stimulation to the prostate gland of a patient. In particular, various techniques are described for providing such stimulation in order to treat sexual dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or other disorders. In some embodiments, the stimulation may be provided to the prostate gland to cause erection or ejaculation in order to treat various sexual dysfunctions. In other embodiments, the stimulation may comprise a training sequence of pulses selected to train and modify the cellular structure of the prostate gland in order to treat BPH or similar prostate disorders.

The invention discloses a traditional Chinese medicine preparation for treating prostate disease, frequency of micturition, muscle swelling pain, impotence, prospermia and the like, which is characterized in that the preparation is prepared by the following raw material drugs by weight part: panax notoginseng 5-10, gallnut 10-20, rhubarb 10-15, catechu 10-15, coptis 10-20, scutellaria prepared tag 10-15, dodder 10-15, herba epimedii 10-20, eucommia bark 10-20, rhizome anemarrhenae 10-20, rehmannia glutinosa libosch 10-15, alisma 10-15, cortex moutan 10-15, Tuckahoe 10-15, prepared fleece-flower root 10-15, rhizome polygonati 10-20,rattanpalm 10-20, salvia miltiorrhiza 10-20, Chinese yam 10-20, peach kernel 10-20, safflower 10-20, foeniculum vulgare 5-10, fructus meliae toosendan 5-10, radix linderae 10-15, red paeony root 10-15, boneset 10-15, dandelion 10-30, radix codonopsitis 10-15, sauted Atractylis ovata 10-15, adlay 10-15, fructus amomi 10-15, alisma 10-20, angelica 10-20, leonurus 10-20, dried orange peel 10-20, akebia stem 10-20, plantain seed 10-30, knotgrass 10-30, herba dianthi 10-30, talcum 10-30, gardenia rhubarb 10-30, licorice 10-30, purslane 10-30, officinal magnolia bark 10-30, platycodon root 10-30, motherwort 10-30, self-heal 10-30, eucommia bark 10-15, boxthorn fruit 10-15, Japanese fern spore 10-15, root of rehmannia 10-15, wild celery 10-30, black lotus seed 10-30, fructus alpiniae oxyphyllae 10-30, pepper 10-30, cornu cervi 10-30, hoantchy root 10-30, leek seed 10-20, epimedium 10-20, radix morindae 10-20, phellodendron amurense white paeony root 10-30, radix codonopsitis 10-30, aconite 10-30, radix morindae 10-30, broomrape 10-30, schisandra 10-30, boxthorn fruit 10-30, dodder 10-30, curculigo orchioides 10-30, dogwood 10-30, prepared rhizome of rehmannia 10-30, cynomorium songaricum 10-30, fructus gleditsiae sinensis 10-30,cassia twig 5-10, radix patriniae heterophylla 10-15, ladybell root 10-15, root of glutinous rice 10-15, etc.

The invention discloses a conformal RF ablation electrode of focal prostate cancer, which is composed of conductor and sleeve, wherein the conductor moves in the sleeve pipe, which mates mutually and strictly; the conductor is hollow pipe with multiple fine-hollow core needles on one end; the sub-needles constitutes fan shaped beam with memory ability, which are recessed into sleeve; the handle is loaded on the rear end of conductor and sleeve.

A method is provided, including distally advancing an implant through a urethra of a patient until the implant emerges in a bladder of the patient, and facilitating expanding of a pre-operative perimeter of a portion of the urethra to a post-operative perimeter of the portion of the urethra that is larger than the pre-operative perimeter by proximally retracting the implant and implanting the implant in prostate tissue surrounding the urethra. Other embodiments are also described.

PCT No. PCT / SE97 / 00610 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 8, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 8, 1998 PCT Filed Apr. 11, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97 / 37587 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 16, 1997Device and method for collecting endogenous gaseous nitric oxide (NO), in the urogenital tract, for example in the urinary tract and in the uterus and oviducts. According to one embodiment, a NO permeable, liquid impermeable inflatable body (16) is positioned in the urethra (5) surrounded by the prostate gland (17), whereby an additional inflatable body (4) positioned in the bladder (2) serves to seal off the bladder from the urethra and helps in the positioning of the device. The present invention further relates to a method and a system for use in the diagnosis of inflammatory states in said organs.

A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of the catheter and method of applying microwave energy a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

A self adjusting and / or positioning indwelling urethral device is provided. The device generally includes a prostatic urethral stent body and a urethral anchoring element. The prostatic urethral stent body includes a preconfigured end portion for anchored receipt within a bladder with the urethral anchoring element extending from the prostatic urethral stent body via a linkage. Engagement of the proximal anchor, delimited by the preconfigured end portion of the stent body, with the bladder is no or minimal impact upon the trigone region.

Methods are provided for treating prostate glands or other targeted soft tissue using a solid-state laser. The laser can be operated to generate a pulsed output beam having pulse durations of between 0.1 and 500 milliseconds. The output beam is delivered to the targeted tissue through an optical fiber, preferably terminating in a side-firing probe or diffusing tip. By operating the laser in a long-duration pulse mode, charring of the targeted tissue is initiated quickly, thereby increasing ablation rates and reducing overall procedure time.