Abstract An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft (32)
contains a microwave antenna (74), which is surrounded
by means (64A-64B, 66A-66B) within the shaft (32) for
asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy
emitted by the antenna (74) - a greater amount of
electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of
the shaft (32). This asymmetrical absorption effectively
focuses microwave thermal therapy toward
undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate
anterior and lateral to the urethra, and protects
healthy tissue posterior to the urethra. Means (64A-64B,
66A-66B) also absorbs thermal energy conducted by
the periurethral tissue, which protects the urethra
while the antenna (74) is energized (Fig. 5).
A device for transurethral thermal therapy comprising a urethral probe (32), an antenna
(74) placed in the urethral probe (32), and cooling means (64A-64B, 66A-66B) around
the antenna 74, characterized in that the antenna (74) is located in urethral probe (32) so as to be
closer to a first side (68) of urethral probe (32) than to a second side (72) of urethral
probe (32).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the cooling means (64A-64B, 66A-66B) comprises anterior
energy absorbing means (64A-64B) and posterior energy absorbing means (66A-66B), the
posterior energy absorbing means (66A-66B) having a greater dimension in a radial
direction than that of the anterior energy absorbing means (64A-64B).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the anterior energy absorbing means (64A-64B) comprises
at least one humen (64A or 64B) circumjacent the first side (68) of urethral probe (32),
and wherein the posterior energy absorbing means (66A-66B) comprises at least one
lumen (66A or 66B) circumjacent the second side (72) of urethral probe (32).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 3 further comprising means (36) for supplying the at least one
lumen (64A or 64B) circumjacent the first side (68) of the urethral probe (32) and the at
least one lumen (66A or 66B) circumjacent the second side (72) of the urethral probe (32)
with a liquid capable of absorbing energy by the antenna (74).
Claim 5
Independent Claim
92 words
The device of claims 3, wherein the at least one
lumen circumjacent the second side of the probe (66A-66B)
has a cross-sectional width which is greater
than that of the at least one lumen circumjacent the
first side of the probe (64A-64B) so that when the
cooling means (64A-64B, 66A-66B) are provided with
fluid, a greater amount of energy emitted by the
antenna is absorbed on the second side (72) of the
probe (32) than on the first side (68) of the probe
(32) and thereby generating a cylindrically
asymmetrical heating pattern.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
16 words
The device of anyone of the preceding claims wherein
the antenna (74) is a microwave antenna.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
17 words
The device of anyone of the preceding claims wherein
the antenna (74) is a helical dipole antenna.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
17 words
The device of anyone of the preceding claims wherein
the antenna (74) is a gamma matched antenna.