P
USRE38299EExpiredUtilityPatentIndex 83

Apparatus for heat treatment of tissue

Assignee: PROSTALUND OPERATIONS ABPriority: May 18, 1995Filed: May 17, 1996Granted: Nov 11, 2003
Est. expiryMay 18, 2015(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:BOLMSJOE MAGNUS
A61B 2017/22051A61B 18/1815A61B 18/18A61B 2018/00547A61B 18/1477A61B 2018/00815A61B 18/1485A61B 2017/22077A61B 2018/00023A61B 2017/00274A61N 5/04A61B 2018/00791A61B 2018/00005A61N 5/045A61B 2017/00084A61B 2018/00702A61B 2018/00797
83
PatentIndex Score
14
Cited by
20
References
82
Claims

Abstract

A device for heat treatment of body tissue, including heating means ( 10 ) for local heating of the body tissue, and temperature sensing means ( 11 ) for sensing the tissue temperature, said heating means being enclosed in a catheter ( 12 ). A first temperature sensing means ( 11 ) is connected to a first carrier ( 13 ), which is made to be advanced through a first opening in catheter ( 12 ), and said first carrier ( 13 ) is equipped with a pointed tip for insertion into such body tissue that is to be heat-treated.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
I claim:  
     
       1. A device for heat treatment of prostate tissue comprising: 
       heating means for local heating of the prostate tissue;  
       a urological catheter enclosing said heating means; and  
       a first temperature sensing means connected to a first carrier, said first carrier for sensing the temperature of the prostate tissue being movable through radially and out a wall of said catheter and said first carrier having a first end forming a first pointed tip,  
       wherein said first pointed tip being adapted for insertion into the prostate tissue that is to be heat treated and that is located radially of said urological catheter.  
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1  further comprising:  A device for heat treatment of prostate tissue comprising: 
       
         heating means for local heating of the prostate tissue;  
       
       
         a urological catheter with a longitudinal axis and completely enclosing said heating means;  
       
       
         a first temperature sensing means connected to a first carrier, said first carrier for sensing the temperature of the prostate tissue, said first carrier being movable through and radially out a wall of said catheter relative to the longitudinal axis, and said first carrier having a first end forming a first pointed tip,  
       
       
         wherein said first pointed tip being adapted for insertion into the prostate tissue that is to be heat treated and that is located radially of said catheter upon movement of said first carrier through and out the wall of said catheter; and 
       
       a second temperature sensing means connected to a second carrier, said second carrier for sensing the temperature of prostate tissue which is to be excluded from said heat treatment, said second carrier being movable through and out of said catheter  catheter, and said second carrier having a first end formed with a second pointed tip,  
       wherein said second tip being adapted for insertion into prostate tissue which is to be excluded from said heat treatment upon movement of said second carrier through and out of said catheter.  
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first carrier is contained in cavities in said catheter. 
     
     
       4. The device according to claim  1   2 wherein said first carrier is contained in a tubing located on said catheter. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 4  wherein said tubing debouches into an end piece, said end piece having an inclined portion for angulation of said first carrier. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 5  wherein said end piece is provided externally on said catheter and said end piece is made of a material that is more rigid than said catheter so as to avoid undesired kinking of said catheter. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 5  wherein said end piece is provided internally in said catheter. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 7  further comprising: 
       at least one stiffening member positioned internally in said catheter.  
     
     
       9. The device according to claim  1   2 wherein said heating means comprises at least one microwave antenna for delivery of energy to the body tissue. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 9  further comprising: 
       at least one heat-absorbing means in the vicinity of said microwave antenna for dissipation of heat from prostate tissue closest to said antenna.  
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 10  wherein said at least one heat-absorbing means comprises channels which extend through said catheter and  to contain a cooling medium being  distributed through said channels. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 11  wherein stiffening means is positioned in said channels in said catheter. 
     
     
       13. The device according to claim  1   2 wherein at least one heat-absorbing means is provided for dissipation of heat from the prostate tissue closes to a supply lead connected to said heating means. 
     
     
       14. The device according to claim  1   2 wherein said first and second temperature sensing means isare connected to a control unit, said control unit controlling the power of said heating means. 
     
     
       15. A method for heat treatment of prostate tissue surrounding a urethra that extends from a distal bladder to a proximal exterior of a body, comprising the steps of: 
       extending a catheter into the urethra from the exterior of the body into the bladder; 
       locallocally heating of  the prostate tissue with at least one heating means, said heating means being   which is enclosed in a  said catheter;  
       continuously sensing of the temperature of the locally- heated  prostate tissue temperature  at a plurality of different radially outward spaced locations relative to the urethra  with a temperature sensing means; and  
       advancing said temperature sensing means which is connected with a first  carrier through and radially out of said catheter and into the prostate tissue; which is to be treated and is located radially external to said catheter for  and 
       continuous control  continuously controlling the temperature of the locally- heated prostate  tissue based on the temperature sensed at the plurality of different locations.  
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said first and second carriers are contained in at least one cavity which extends longitudinally along said catheter. 
     
     
       17. The device according to  claim 16  wherein said first carrier is contained in a tubing which is located in one said cavity, and said second carrier is contained in a tubing which is located in one said cavity. 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 2  wherein said heating means comprises a comprises a receptacle within the catheter for containing heated liquid. 
     
     
       19. The device according to  claim 2  wherein said heating means comprises an intermediary device which expands into abutment against the urethra. 
     
     
       20. A method as defined in  claim 15  further comprising: 
       
         using separate temperature sensors positioned at spaced apart positions along a distal end portion of the carrier to sense each of the plurality of temperatures by a separate temperature sensor. 
       
     
     
       21. A method as defined in  claim 20  further comprising: 
         sensing a first temperature of the locally - heated prostate tissue at a relatively greater radial outward location through which the distal end portion of the carrier has penetrated; and    
         sensing a second temperature of the locally - heated prostate tissue at a relatively lesser radial outward location through which the distal end portion of the carrier has penetrated.   
     
     
       22. A method as defined in  claim 21  further comprising: 
         sensing a third temperature of the locally - heated prostate tissue at a relatively intermediate location through which the distal end portion of the carrier has penetrated, the intermediate location existing between the locations where the first and second temperatures are sensed.   
     
     
       23. A method as defined in  claim 20  further comprising: 
       
         locally heating the prostate tissue in an area of heat treatment;  
       
       
         penetrating the distal end portion of the carrier into the prostate tissue at a periphery of the area of heat treatment as well as within the area of heat treatment;  
       
         sensing the plurality of temperatures of the locally - heated prostate tissue within the area of heat treatment; and additionally    
       
         sensing the temperature of the prostate tissue at the periphery of the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       24. A method as defined in  claim 23  further comprising: 
       
         sensing the temperature outside of the periphery of the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       25. A method as defined in  claim 23  further comprising: 
       
         penetrating the prostate tissue with the distal end portion of the carrier in a longitudinal direction as well as the radially outward direction relative to the urethra; and  
       
       
         sensing the plurality of temperatures at a plurality of different radially spaced and longitudinally separated locations within the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       26. A method as defined in  claim 25  further comprising: 
       
         penetrating the prostate tissue with the distal end portion of the carrier in the longitudinal direction toward the bladder. 
       
     
     
       27. A method as defined in  claim 26  further comprising: 
       
         penetrating the prostate tissue with the distal end portion of the carrier at an angle of at least  20  degrees relative to the catheter. 
       
     
     
       28. A method as defined in  claim 26  further comprising: 
       
         penetrating the prostate tissue with the distal end portion of the carrier at an angle of approximately  30  degrees relative to the catheter. 
       
     
     
       29. A method as defined in  claim 15  further comprising: 
       
         emitting energy from an antenna within the catheter to locally heat the prostate tissue. 
       
     
     
       30. A method as defined in  claim 15  further comprising: 
       
         conducting heat from a heated liquid within the catheter to locally heat the prostate tissue. 
       
     
     
       31. A method as defined in  claim 15  further comprising: 
       
         locally heating the prostate tissue by delivering energy from a heating device positioned within the catheter. 
       
     
     
       32. A method as defined in  claim 15  further comprising: 
       
         expanding an intermediary device into abutment against the urethra while locally heating the prostate tissue. 
       
     
     
       33. A method as defined in  claim 15  further comprising: 
       
         pushing the carrier longitudinally at the exterior of the body to advance said temperature sensing means into the prostate tissue. 
       
     
     
       34. A method as defined in  claim 15  further comprising: 
       
         retaining the catheter in the urethra relative to the bladder by expanding a balloon at the distal end of the catheter within the bladder and by penetrating the prostate tissue with a distal end portion of the carrier in a longitudinal direction toward the bladder. 
       
     
     
       35. A method as defined in  claim 15  further comprising: 
       
         continuing the penetration of a distal end portion of the carrier into the prostate tissue in substantially the direction initiated upon advancing the carrier by utilizing substantially only an inherent stiffness characteristic of the distal end portion of the carrier. 
       
     
     
       36. A catheter for use during heat treatment of prostate tissue of a living body, the prostate tissue surrounding a urethra that extends from a distal bladder to a proximal exterior of the body, the catheter comprising: 
       
         a length sufficient to extend through the urethra from the exterior of the body and into the bladder;  
       
       
         an expandable balloon positioned at a distal end of the catheter to be expanded within the bladder to retain the catheter in the urethra relative to the bladder;  
       
       
         a channel extending from the exterior of the body along the catheter and terminating at a distal end located at a predetermined position spaced proximally from the expandable balloon;  
       
       
         a carrier extending from the exterior of the body through the channel and having a distal end portion to be advanced out of the terminating distal end of the channel and into the prostate tissue by applying advancement force to the carrier at the exterior of the body;  
       
       
         a deflecting element located at the terminating distal end of the channel to deflect the distal end portion of the carrier into the prostate tissue in a direction radially outward relative the catheter when the balloon retains the catheter relative to the bladder and upon advancement of the carrier out of the terminating distal end of the channel; and  
       
       
         a plurality of temperature sensors positioned in a spaced apart relationship along the distal end of the carrier to determine the temperature of the prostate tissue at a plurality of different radially outward spaced locations into which the distal end of the carrier has penetrated. 
       
     
     
       37. A catheter as defined in  claim 36  wherein: 
       
         a first one of the temperature sensors is positioned distally at the distal end portion of the carrier; and  
       
       
         the carrier has stiffness characteristics which advance the distal end portion into the prostate tissue to locate the first temperature sensor at a maximum radial outward location upon advancement of the carrier. 
       
     
     
       38. A catheter as defined in  claim 37  wherein: 
       
         a second one of the temperature sensors is positioned proximally from the distal end portion of the carrier to be located in the prostate tissue at a minimum radial outward location. 
       
     
     
       39. A catheter as defined in  claim 38  wherein: 
       
         a third one of the temperature sensors is positioned between the first and second temperature sensors on the distal end portion of the carrier to be located in the prostate tissue at a lesser radial outward location than the first temperature sensor and a greater radial outward location than the second temperature sensor. 
       
     
     
       40. A catheter as defined in  claim 36  further comprising: 
       
         a heating device in the catheter which is spaced relative to the expandable balloon at a predetermined position to deliver heat to the prostate tissue in an area of heat treatment surrounding the urethra when the catheter is retained relative to the bladder; and  
       
       
         at least two temperature sensors are located within the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       41. A catheter as defined in  claim 40  wherein: 
       
         the two temperature sensors are located within the area of heat treatment at different radially outward spaced locations relative to the urethra and at different locations longitudinally along the urethra. 
       
     
     
       42. A catheter as defined in  claim 41  wherein: 
       
         at least one temperature sensor is located at a periphery of the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       43. A catheter as defined in  claim 42  wherein: 
       
         the temperature sensor located at the periphery of the area of heat treatment is outside of the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       44. A catheter as defined in  claim 41  wherein: 
       
         a first one of the temperature sensors is located at a relatively greater radial outward spaced location relative to the urethra;  
       
       
         a second one of the temperature sensors is located within the area of heat treatment at a relative middle radial outward spaced location relative to the urethra; and  
       
       
         a third temperature sensor is located at a periphery the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       45. A catheter as defined in  claim 44  wherein: 
       
         the third temperature sensor is located outside of the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       46. A catheter as defined in  claim 40  wherein: 
       
         the deflecting element deflects the distal end portion of the carrier to penetrate into the prostate tissue in a longitudinal direction as well as the radially outward direction. 
       
     
     
       47. A catheter as defined in  claim 46  wherein: 
       
         the deflecting element comprises a curved distal portion of the channel. 
       
     
     
       48. A catheter as defined in  claim 46  wherein: 
       
         the deflecting element comprises an inclined member positioned at the distal portion of the channel to deflect the distal end portion of the carrier into the longitudinal and radial outward direction into the prostate tissue upon advancement of the carrier. 
       
     
     
       49. A catheter as defined in  claim 48  wherein: 
       
         the inclined member comprises an inclined surface positioned on the exterior of the catheter. 
       
     
     
       50. A catheter as defined in  claim 48  wherein: 
       
         the inclined member comprises a peg having an inclined surface positioned within the channel. 
       
     
     
       51. A catheter as defined in  claim 40  further comprising: 
       
         an opening in the catheter located at the terminating distal end of the channel and located at the predetermined position spaced proximally from the expandable balloon; and  
       
       
         a membrane which covers the opening and through which the distal end portion of the carrier penetrates upon advancement of the distal end portion of the carrier out of the channel and into the prostate tissue. 
       
     
     
       52. A catheter as defined in  claim 51  wherein: 
       
         the heating device is positioned distally of the opening and within the prostate tissue when the catheter is retained relative to the bladder. 
       
     
     
       53. A catheter as defined in  claim 40  wherein: 
       
         the deflecting element deflects the distal end portion of the carrier in the longitudinal direction toward the balloon. 
       
     
     
       54. A catheter as defined in  claim 53  wherein: 
       
         the advancement of the distal end portion of the carrier in the radially outward and longitudinal direction defines an angle of at least  20  degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. 
       
     
     
       55. A catheter as defined in  claim 53  wherein: 
         the advancement of the distal end portion of the carrier in the radially outward and longitudinal direction defines an angle of approximately  30 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. 
     
     
       56. A catheter as defined in  claim 40  wherein: 
       
         the heating device comprises an antenna from which energy is emitted into the prostate tissue. 
       
     
     
       57. A catheter as defined in  claim 40  wherein: 
       
         the heating device comprises a receptacle within the catheter for containing heated liquid. 
       
     
     
       58. A catheter as defined in  claim 40  wherein: 
       
         the heating device comprises an intermediary device which expands into abutment against the urethra. 
       
     
     
       59. A catheter as defined in  claim 40  wherein: 
       
         the distal end portion of the carrier has sufficient stiffness to advance the distal end portion into the prostate tissue in approximately the direction of deflection initiated by the deflecting element. 
       
     
     
       60. A catheter as defined in  claim 40  further comprising: 
       
         an opening in the catheter located at the terminating distal end of the channel and located at the predetermined position spaced proximally from the expandable balloon; and  
       
       
         a stiffener element connected to the catheter adjacent to the opening, the stiffener element reinforcing the catheter against bending at a position adjacent the opening upon advancement of the distal end portion of the carrier out of the opening. 
       
     
     
       61. A catheter as defined in  claim 20  wherein: 
       
         the stiffener element is positioned exteriorly on the catheter. 
       
     
     
       62. A catheter as defined in  claim 20  wherein: 
       
         the stiffener element is positioned interiorly within the catheter. 
       
     
     
       63. A catheter as defined in  claim 36  wherein: 
       
         the distal end portion of the carrier has sufficient stiffness to continue to penetrate into the prostate tissue in substantially the direction initiated by the deflecting element upon advancement of the carrier. 
       
     
     
       64. A catheter as defined in  claim 36  wherein: 
       
         the advancement force is a longitudinal push force applied to the carrier exteriorly of the body. 
       
     
     
       65. A method of monitoring heat treatment of prostate tissue of a living body, the prostate tissue surrounding a urethra that extends from a distal bladder to a proximal exterior of the body, the method comprising: 
       
         extending a catheter into the urethra from the exterior of the body into the bladder;  
       
       
         advancing a carrier proximally through the catheter from the exterior of the body by applying advancement force to the carrier at the exterior of the body;  
       
       
         penetrating the distal end portion of the carrier out of the catheter and into the prostate tissue to a desired depth in a direction radially outward relative the catheter by advancing the carrier; and  
       
       
         separately sensing temperatures of the prostate tissue at a plurality of different radially outward spaced locations relative to the urethra after the distal end portion of the carrier has penetrated into the prostate tissue to the desired depth. 
       
     
     
       66. A method as defined in  claim 65  further comprising: 
       
         using separate temperature sensors positioned at spaced apart positions along the distal end portion of the carrier to sense each of the plurality of temperatures by a separate temperature sensor. 
       
     
     
       67. A method as defined in  claim 65  further comprising: 
       
         sensing a first temperature of the prostate tissue at a relatively greater radial outward location after the distal end portion of the carrier has penetrated into the prostate tissue to the desired depth; and  
       
       
         sensing a second temperature of the prostate tissue at a relatively lesser radial outward location after the distal end portion of the carrier has penetrated into the prostate tissue to the desired depth. 
       
     
     
       68. A method as defined in  claim 67  further comprising: 
       
         sensing a third temperature of the prostate tissue at a relatively intermediate location after the distal end portion of the carrier has penetrated into the prostate tissue to the desired depth, the intermediate location existing between the locations where the first and second temperatures are sensed. 
       
     
     
       69. A method as defined in  claim 65  further comprising: 
       
         heating the prostate tissue in an area of heat treatment surrounding the urethra; and  
       
       
         sensing the plurality of temperatures of the prostate tissue within the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       70. A method as defined in  claim 69  further comprising: 
       
         penetrating the distal end portion of the carrier into the prostate tissue at a periphery of the area of heat treatment as well as within the area of heat treatment;  
       
       
         sensing the plurality of temperatures of the prostate tissue within the area of heat treatment; and additionally  
       
       
         sensing the temperature of the prostate tissue at the periphery of the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       71. A method as defined in  claim 70  further comprising: 
       
         sensing the temperature outside of the periphery of the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       72. A method as defined in  claim 69  further comprising: 
       
         penetrating the prostate tissue with the distal end portion of the carrier in a longitudinal direction as well as the radially outward direction relative to the urethra; and  
       
       
         sensing the plurality of temperatures at a plurality of different radially spaced and longitudinally separated locations within the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       73. A method as defined in  claim 72  further comprising: 
       
         penetrating the prostate tissue with the distal end portion of the carrier in the longitudinal direction toward the bladder. 
       
     
     
       74. A method as defined in  claim 73  further comprising: 
       
         penetrating the prostate tissue with the distal end portion of the carrier at an angle of at least  20  degrees relative to the catheter. 
       
     
     
       75. A method as defined in  claim 73  further comprising: 
       
         penetrating the prostate tissue with the distal end portion of the carrier at an angle of approximately  30  degrees relative to the catheter. 
       
     
     
       76. A method as defined in  claim 69  further comprising: 
       
         emitting energy from an antenna within the catheter to heat the prostate tissue within the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       77. A method as defined in  claim 69  further comprising: 
       
         conducting heat from a heated liquid within the catheter to heat the prostate tissue in the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       78. A method as defined in  claim 69  further comprising: 
       
         heating the prostate tissue within the area of heat treatment by delivering energy from a heating device positioned within the catheter. 
       
     
     
       79. A method as defined in  claim 69  further comprising: 
       
         expanding an intermediary device into abutment against the urethra while heating the prostate tissue in the area of heat treatment. 
       
     
     
       80. A method as defined in  claim 65  further comprising: 
       
         pushing the carrier longitudinally at the exterior of the body to accomplish advancing the carrier and penetrating the distal end portion of the carrier into the prostate tissue. 
       
     
     
       81. A method as defined in  claim 65  further comprising: 
       
         retaining the catheter in the urethra relative to the bladder by expanding a balloon at the distal end of the catheter within the bladder and by penetrating the prostate tissue with the distal end portion of the carrier in the longitudinal direction toward the bladder. 
       
     
     
       82. A method as defined in  claim 65  further comprising: 
       
         continuing the penetration of the distal end portion of the carrier into the prostate tissue in substantially the direction initiated upon advancing the carrier by utilizing substantially only an inherent stiffness characteristic of the distal end portion of the carrier.

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