Medtronic, Inc.

Thomas R Skwarek

Keith S Bosacker

Nikhil Bhushan

Graham Spall

Mark A Christopherson

William K Wenger

Martin T Gerber

John Matthew Swoyer

Charles Graham Spall

This disclosure describes impedance computation techniques that may reduce the effect of crosstalk, thus generating more accurate impedance measurements. In particular, an ablation system models the electrical interaction among the active electrodes and a common return electrode using a star-configuration resistor model. The ablation system computes one or more parameters of the star-configuration resistor model and adjusts the therapy based on at least the computed parameters of the star-configuration resistor model.

Impedance computation for ablation therapy

The disclosure describes a user interface that may be used to control ablation therapy and monitor ablation therapy progress in systems that utilize wet electrode ablation techniques. The user interface presents a virtual electrode depth icon to a user that indicates the size of a lesion that may be created with the selected virtual electrode depth. The virtual electrode depth may be changed by the user according to the ablation therapy most appropriate for a patient, and the user may interact with the user interface to define the virtual electrode depth. In this manner, the user interface may be a touchscreen or other input device such as a mouse, pointing device, or keyboard. The user interface may also provide a thermometer icon that represents a patient temperature, a timer icon that represents a remaining time for therapy, and other representations of therapy progress.

User interface for ablation therapy

The invention is directed to techniques for providing electrical stimulation to the prostate gland of a patient. In particular, various techniques are described for providing such stimulation in order to treat sexual dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or other disorders. In some embodiments, the stimulation may be provided to the prostate gland to cause erection or ejaculation in order to treat various sexual dysfunctions. In other embodiments, the stimulation may comprise a training sequence of pulses selected to train and modify the cellular structure of the prostate gland in order to treat BPH or similar prostate disorders.

Stimulating the prostate gland

Multiple therapy delivery platform device

The invention provides a transurethral ablation device comprising a catheter sized for insertion into a urethra of a male patient. A distal end of the catheter defines a lateral cavity. A vacuum line applies vacuum pressure to the cavity to capture a portion of the urethra and a portion of the prostate into the cavity. An ablation probe has a distal tip mounted within the catheter adjacent the cavity, and is movable for insertion into the captured portion of the prostate. The ablation probe can be inserted with an orientation substantially parallel to the urethral wall. Alternatively, multiple ablation probes can be provided for simultaneous use in ablating tissue with a target site in the prostate. A suction cannula may be used to remove ablated tissue from the target site.

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Shoreview, MN, United States of America

Thomas R Skwarek