106 results about "Prostatic tissue" 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.

An apparatus and method for the thermal treatment of tissue, e.g., prostatic tissue, with RF energy is disclosed. The apparatus includes a handle dimensioned to be grasped with a single hand of a surgeon, an elongated portion extending distally from the handle and defining a longitudinal axis, at least one electrode extending within the elongated portion and movable between a non-deployed position and a fully deployed position, and a trigger mechanism associated with the handle and having a trigger operatively connected to the one electrode. The trigger is movable to selectively and incrementally move the one electrode between the non-deployed position and the fully deployed position. A ratchet mechanism permits movement of the trigger in one direction corresponding to movement of the one electrode toward the fully deployed position while preventing movement of the trigger in a second direction. The elongated portion of the apparatus may be rotatable about the longitudinal axis to reposition the one electrode.

The present invention provides treatment regimens for treating diseased prostate tissue, including the steps of chemically ablating prostate tissue and coadministering an antiandrogen. In some embodiments, prostate tissue is chemically ablated by injection of ethanol, or an injectable gel comprising ethanol, into prostate tissue. Steroidal and non-steroidal antiandrogens are suitable antiandrogens. One suitable non-steroidal antiandrogen is bicalutamide. The treatment regimen is suitable for treatment of prostate tissue diseases including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma. The invention further provides a treatment regimen for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, including the steps of damaging prostate tissue and coadministering an antiandrogen. Also provided by the present invention is a kit for treating a human male, including a means for necrosing prostate tissue, an antiandrogen drug, and a means for administering the antiandrogen drug. A kit including a first surgical device for delivering a chemoablation fluid to prostate tissue transurethrally, an antiandrogen drug such as bicalutamide, and a second surgical device for administering the antiandrogen drug, is further provided.

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.

The present invention relates to the identification of four cytokine biomarkers in prostatic tissue that exhibit differential expression following prostatectomy that, in combination at least one other factor, are able to reliably predict the development of biochemical recurrence following surgery. This marker combination improves the risk stratification of patients after primary local treatment for localized prostate cancer.

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.

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 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.

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.

A prostate therapy system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can access a prostate lobe transurethrally. Another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can deliver condensable vapor into the prostate to ablate the prostate tissue. Another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can aspirate tissue from the prostate. Yet another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can rotate during delivery of vapor and aspiration of tissue. Methods associated with use of the prostate therapy system are also covered.

Methods and apparatus for medical treating prostatic tissues are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes removing prostatic tissues adjacent the urethra and enlarging the lumen of the urethra, whereby the treatment conserves a natural wall of the urethra.

A prostate therapy system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can access a prostate lobe transurethrally. Another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can deliver condensable vapor into the prostate to ablate the prostate tissue. Methods associated with use of the prostate therapy system are also covered.

The invention comprises an atherectomy probe for mechanically cutting core prostatic tissue to alleviate the condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or for use in orthopedic procedures. The blade shapes and lengths are adaptable but in a preferred embodiment the device includes an end-cutting bur tip. The cutting motion may be one of: guillotine (incising between two parallel edges), radial reciprocating (changing radial directions and cuts between two horizontal edges), circular (continuously radial in one direction), and end-cutting, etc. The power source used to drive the blade may be one of: pneumatic, hydraulic, manual mechanical, electrical, solar, etc. The probe also includes several channels that may be used for providing live aspiration and removal of severed tissue and fluids, as well as insufflation of gases and optionally, pharmaceuticals and/or a secondary therapy. The instrument is designed for use in open, endoscopic, and minimally invasive transurethral or transperineal surgical procedures.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which a compact pod insertable into the rectum for Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRI/MRS) examination of the prostate and containing two receive coils, each connected to transmit blocking and pre-tuned trap circuitry which can be superimposed within the pod in close proximity, can, without either circuit interfering with the other, efficiently gather, for imaging and tissue analysis, radio frequency signals emanating from magnetically disturbed nuclei in prostate tissue.