The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 22, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 16, 1996
Jeffrey J Blewett, Plantsville, CT (US);
Christopher W Maurer, Newtown, CT (US);
United States Surgical Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for the radio-frequency (RF) thermal treatment of tissue, particularly, prostatic tissue is intended for use in conjunction with a conventional endoscope. The apparatus includes an elongate member having at least one passageway extending at least partially along its length, a delivery tube disposed within the passageway and having a memory portion comprised of a shape memory material, and being moveable within the passageway to extend the memory portion from the elongate member to permit the memory portion to assume a normal unstressed curved configuration, an electromagnetic probe disposed within the delivery tube and moveable within the delivery tube to extend a probe end portion beyond the delivery tube and within tissue. The electromagnetic probe has sufficient flexibility to follow the curved path defined by the memory portion of the delivery tube. The elongate member of the apparatus may further include a channel dimensioned to receive a conventional endoscope. Proximally positioned actuators permit selective movement of the delivery tube and electromagnetic probe. A system for thermal treatment of tissue includes a thermal treatment apparatus and an endoscope which is positioned within a working channel of the apparatus.