Patent ID: 6517534
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of relieving urethral obstruction in a patient having a urethra, a prostate and a bladder, the method comprising the steps of:providing a catheter including: a plurality of ring electrodes on an external surface of the catheter in a flexible region of the catheter configured and arranged to substantially maintain flexibility in the region, and an inflatable balloon proximate to a distal end of the catheter wherein the inflatable balloon may be inflated by injection of fluid through a port in the catheter; inserting the catheter into the urethra of the patient a distance sufficient to provide contact between the electrodes and at least a portion of the urethra and to insert the balloon into the bladder of the patient; inflating the balloon; positioning the electrodes within the urethra of the patient at a location in the prostate where urethral enlargement is desired; and applying a high-frequency signal to at least one of the electrodes to elevate the temperature to at least 50Â° C. and induce heat ablation of at least a portion of the urethra wall and at least a portion of periurethral tissue in the patient, thereby inducing ablative reduction of tissue mass of the urethra and nearby tissue to reduce the urethral obstruction.