Patent ID: 6123083
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising:heating a select volume of prostatic tissue surrounding the urethra to a temperature above about 45.degree. C. for a time sufficient to substantially destroy the select volume of tissue and a collagen-containing portion of the select volume to a temperature above a predetermined collagen transition temperature of about 60.degree. C. for a time sufficient to cause the collagen-containing portion of the select volume to be capable of being plastically remodeled;defining a selected shape of the urethra while the collagen-containing portion of the select volume of tissue is at the temperature above the predetermined collagen transition temperature; andallowing the collagen-containing portion of the select volume of tissue to cool to a temperature below the predetermined collagen transition temperature while continuing to define the selected shape of the urethra for a time sufficient to cause plastic remodeling of the collagen-containing portion of the select volume of tissue.