Patent ID: 6447505
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
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 that comprises: an electrically conductive active sector electrode disposed on an outer surface of the catheter, 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 electrode and at least a portion of the urethra and to insert the balloon into the bladder of the patient; inflating the balloon; positioning the electrode within the urethra of the patient at a location proximate the prostate where urethral enlargement is desired; and applying a high-frequency signal to the electrode to elevate the temperature of the urethra to at least 50Â° C. to induce heat ablation of at least a portion of the urethra 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.