Patent ID: 6424869
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,H05B

Abstract:
Transurethral warning apparatus comprisinga urethral catheter dimensioned for insertion through the urethra, said catheter including an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of longitudinal lumens extending between said ends; a cable extending along one of said lumens, said cable having at least two conductors; an antenna in the form of a multi-turn helical winding wound around the outside of said tube, said winding having a proximal end and a distal end; a first electrical connection extending from one of the conductors through the tube to the proximal end of the winding; a second electrical connector extending from the other of said conductors through the tube to the distal end of the winding whereby said antenna is larger in diameter than said cable and all of said lumens are contained within said winding, and means for delivering electromagnetic energy to said cable so that the antenna generates an electromagnetic field sufficient to heat tissue in the vicinity of said antenna, said delivering means including a transmitter for transmitting a first signal of a first frequency capable of heating tissue; a receiver for receiving a second signal of a second frequency indicative of thermal radiation, said receiver producing an output signal in response thereto, and a diplexer connecting the proximal end of the cable to the transmitter and receiver, said diplexer coupling said first signal from the transmitter only to said antenna while coupling said second signal from said antenna only to said receiver so that the apparatus can simultaneously heat tissue and determine the actual temperature of the tissue in the vicinity of said antenna.