Patent ID: 7093601

Claim:
A method of treating prostate tissue for benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis in a patient having a urethra, comprising the steps of applying energy to the prostate tissue to elevate the temperature of the prostate tissue to a destination temperature and for a time sufficient to achieve a therapeutic effect on said prostate tissue, said energy being applied with a catheter system having: a catheter for insertion into the urethra; a heat applicator within the catheter; and a connector for connecting the applicator to an energy source; said energy being applied such that the temperature of the prostate tissue is raised from an initial temperature below the destination temperature to a destination temperature in the range of from 490° C. to about 57° C. such that the mean rate of increase in temperature is from about 0.5 minute/° C. to about 15 minute/° C.