Apparatus and method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract

An apparatus and method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia is disclosed wherein the apparatus includes an applicator having a probe having proximal and distal probe sections wherein the proximal and distal probe sections each define an axis and wherein the axes are not collinear.

1. An apparatus for providing electroporation therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia, said apparatus comprising:
 a urethral applicator configured for insertion into a urethra, said applicator including:  
 a substantially hollow probe, said probe portion including first, second and third probe portions, said first probe portion being configured for insertion into the penile urethral segment and said third probe portion being configured for insertion into the prostatic urethral segment, said first and third probe portions defining first and second probe portion longitudinal axes, wherein said axes are not collinear with each other and wherein said second probe portion lies between said first and third probe portion;  
 a handle, said handle being attached to said probe;  
 a plurality of needle electrodes, said electrodes being mounted within said first probe portion for reciprocal movement into and out of said first probe portion substantially parallel to the urethra, said electrodes being provided for connection to an electric pulse generator;  
 wherein when said applicator is disposed in operating position, said needle electrodes may be advanced into benign prostatic hyperplasia tissue for electroporation therapy.  
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second probe portion longitudinal axes are parallel. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second probe portion longitudinal axes are non-parallel. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said third probe portion is uninsulated and is provided for electrical connection to a pulse generator. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first probe portion has a greater cross-sectional area than said third probe portion. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said needle electrodes are curved. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said needle electrodes are bent. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1  and further including a flexible fiber optic endoscope. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1  and further including an electric pulse generator. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said third probe portion is uninsulated and is electrically connected to a said electric pulse generator. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and third probe portions are longitudinally offset relative to each other. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and third probe portions are angularly off-set relative to each other. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said needle electrodes are electrically insulated from each other and said applicator. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said handle includes a lever engaged with said needle electrodes to enable the operator to selectively advance and retract said needle electrodes. 
     
     
       15. A method of providing electroporation therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising:
 providing an applicator including a probe having a proximal probe portion and a distal probe electrode portion, said portions each defining non-collinear longitudinal axes, said probe including at least one electrode for electroporation therapy;  
 inserting the applicator into a patient's urethra to dispose the distal probe portion in the prostatic urethral segment and the proximal probe portion in the penile urethral segment and to displace the patient's prostate gland sideways relative to the proximal probe portion;  
 advancing at least a first electrode into the benign prostatic hyperplasia tissue; and  
 applying electric pulses to the distal probe electrode portion and the at least first electrode to generate electroporating electric fields.  
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  and further including:
 retracting the at least first electrode following the completion of electroporation therapy at a first site  
 rotating the probe a preselected amount;  
 advancing the at least first electrode into the benign prostatic hyperplasia tissue at a new location in the tissue; and  
 applying electric pulses to the distal probe electrode portion and the at least first electrode to generate electroporating electric fields.