Median lobe retraction apparatus and method

Abstract

A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for comprising, distracting and/or retracting the lobes of a prostate.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A system for medial lobe retraction, comprising:
 an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly including a first anchor attached to a second anchor by a connector; and   an anchor delivery device, the anchor delivery device including means for attaching the second anchor to the connector and a needle assembly, the needle assembly including a threaded terminal distal end portion.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , the needle assembly further comprising an outer tubular portion containing a rotatable telescoping member including the threaded terminal distal end portion. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , the needle assembly further comprising a depth stop positioned proximal the threaded terminal distal end portion. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising ancillary equipment for tissue distraction. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the ancillary equipment includes a Foley catheter with a Doppler flow feature that facilitates providing a specific deployment target. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the ancillary equipment includes a rectal distractor. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising ancillary equipment for image targeting. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the ancillary equipment includes a TRUS probe. 
     
     
         31 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the threaded terminal distal end portion comprises threads configured to create a threaded penetration path in tissue. 
     
     
         34 . A system for medial lobe retraction, comprising:
 an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly including a first anchor configured to attach to a second anchor via a connector; and   an anchor delivery device comprising a threaded tissue penetrating assembly, wherein the anchor delivery device is configured to compress the medial lobe.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the anchor delivery device is configured to attach the second anchor to the connector. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35  wherein the anchor delivery device further comprises an elongate member capable of longitudinally translating with respect to the threaded tissue penetrating assembly. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the movement of the elongate member attaches the second anchor to the connector. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the anchor delivery device further comprises a needle assembly. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the needle assembly comprises threads configured to penetrate tissue. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the anchor delivery device further comprises a distal tissue penetrating element and the needle assembly is disposed within the distal tissue penetrating element. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40  wherein the distal tissue penetrating element comprises threads configured to penetrate tissue.