Patent ID: 6081749
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
A probe for heating a target tissue of a patient body through an intermediate tissue, the target tissue comprising a collagenous pelvic support tissue, the probe comprising:a probe body supporting a plurality of electrode surface segments, the electrode surface segments simultaneously engagable against the intermediate tissue, the probe body having a size and configuration suitable for transvaginal insertion, the electrode surface segments oriented for heating the target tissue through a vaginal wall so that the collagenous pelvic support tissue inhibits incontinence;a cooling system coupled to the probe for cooling the electrode surface segments; anda control system coupled to the electrode surface segments, the control system adapted to selectively energize the electrode surface segments so as to heat the target tissue to a treatment temperature without ablating the target tissue while the cooling system maintains the intermediate tissue disposed between the electrode surface segments and the target tissue below a maximum safe tissue temperature.