Patent ID: 6174305
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
A method of treating a prostate gland by inserting a stent within the prostatic urethra of a patient, said method comprising:providing a metallic stent sized and dimensioned to fit within the prostatic urethra of a patient;providing a stent delivery catheter suitable for insertion into the prostatic urethra;mounting the stent on the stent delivery catheter, inserting the stent delivery catheter with the stent mounted thereon into the prostatic urethra, and placing the stent within the urethra;heating the prostate gland to a temperature high enough to cause thermal damage to the prostate gland;allowing the prostate gland to heal after it is thermally damaged, and leaving the stent in the prostatic urethra while the prostate gland is healing;removing the stent from the prostatic urethra when the prostate gland has substantially healed from the thermal damage.