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:
Jul. 23, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 03, 2000
Kenneth L. Carr, Harvard, MA (US);
James F. Regan, Waltham, MA (US);
Meridian Medical Systems, LLC, Ayer, MA (US);
Abstract
A dual mode transurethral warming apparatus particularly adapted to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia includes a urethral catheter dimensioned for insertia through the urethra. The catheter includes an elongated flexible tube having a plurality of longitudinal lumens extending between the ends of the tube. A coaxial cable extends along one of the lumens to an antenna in the form of a multi-turn helical winding wound around the outside of the tube. A first connector connects one of the cable conductors to one end of the winding and a second connector connects the other cable conductor to the other end of the winding so that the antenna formed by the winding is larger in diameter than the cable, and all of the lumens are located within the winding. The cable is connected to a control and display unit which includes a transmitter which provides electromagnetic energy via the cable to the antenna so that the antenna generates an electromagnetic field sufficient to treat tissue adjacent the antenna. The same antenna also detects thermal energy emitted by the tissue thereby developing an electrical signal which is fed via the cable to a receiver in the form of a radiometer in the control and display unit. The cable is connected to the transmitter and receiver by way of a diplexer which separates the transmitter and receiver signal frequencies allowing the use of the common coaxial cable and antenna for both heating the tissue and sensing the actual temperature of the tissue. Preferably, the catheter includes an inflatable balloon at the distal end of the tube, the balloon being inflated by flowing an inflation fluid to the balloon via one of the lumens in the tube. Other working lumens may be included in the tube for providing drainage and for coolant circulation to cool the exterior surfaces of the catheter.