Method of treating benign hypertrophy of the prostate

1. A method of treating a patient with benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising the steps of:

providing a compressible attenuation device which is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration;

introducing the attenuation device into the bladder while in the first configuration, comprising placing the attenuation device percutaneously into the bladder;

transforming the attenuation device within the bladder to the second configuration; and

attenuating an increase in pressure within the bladder by reversibly reducing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure, while the attenuation device is completely within the bladder.

2. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the transforming step comprises at least partially inflating the attenuation device.

3. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the transforming step comprises permitting the attenuation device to transform under its own bias.

4. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the attenuating step comprises reducing the volume of the attenuation device by at least about 5%.

5. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the attenuating step comprises reducing the volume of the attenuation device by at least about 10%.

6. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the attenuating step comprises reducing the volume of the attenuation device by at least about 25%.

7. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the attenuation is accomplished by a reduction in volume of the attenuation device.

8. A method as in claim 7 , wherein the reduction in volume is responsive to the increase in pressure.

9. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the attenuation device comprises a compressible wall.

10. A method as in claim 1 , wherein an intravesical pressure spike which would have been at least about 60 cm H 2 O without the attenuation device is maintained by the attenuation device at no more than about 40 cm H 2 O.

11. A method as in claim 10 , wherein an intravesical pressure spike which would have been at least about 80 cm H 2 O without the attenuation device is maintained by the attenuation device at no more than about 50 cm H 2 O.

12. A method as in claim 11 , wherein an intravesical pressure spike which would have been at least about 140 cm H 2 O without the attenuation device is maintained by the attenuation device at no more than about 60 cm H 2 O.

13. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the attenuation of any increases in pressure within the bladder provides therapeutic benefits after the attenuation device is removed.

14. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the compressible attenuation device is conformable to the shape of the bladder.

15. A method of improving symptoms of benign hypertrophy of the prostate in a patient, comprising:

placing an attenuation device percutaneously into the bladder; and

positioning a compressible portion of the device and a compressible medium within the bladder of the patient;

wherein the device inhibits a decrease in compliance of the bladder wall as a consequence of the benign hypertrophy of the prostate while maintaining the compressible medium entirely within the bladder when the device is exposed to increased pressure in the bladder.

16. A method as in claim 15 , further comprising tethering the device to the anatomy of the patient.

17. A method as in claim 16 , further comprising tethering the device to the urethra.

18. A method as in claim 15 , further comprising affixing the device to the bladder wall.

19. A method as in claim 18 , further comprising surgically affixing the device to the wall of the bladder.

20. A method of reducing the symptoms of benign hypertrophy of the prostate comprising:

positioning a compressible storage device completely within a bladder,

affixing the compressible storage device to a wall of the bladder, such that the compressible storage device is completely within the bladder,

accumulating bladder pressure with the compressible storage device, and subsequently returning the energy to the bladder.

21. A method as in claim 20 , wherein affixing the compressible storage device comprises surgically affixing the compressible storage device.

22. A method of treating a patient with benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising the steps of:

positioning a compressible attenuation device, moveable from an introduction configuration to an implanted configuration, completely within the bladder while in the introduction configuration;

transforming the attenuation device within the bladder to the second configuration; and

attenuating an increase in pressure within the bladder by reversibly reducing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure, while the attenuation device is completely within the bladder.

23. A method as in claim 22 , wherein positioning the compressible attenuation device completely within the bladder further comprises advancing the attenuation device percutaneously into the bladder.

24. A method as in claim 22 , wherein transforming comprises at least partially inflating the attenuation device.

25. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the transforming step comprises permitting the attenuation device to transform under its own bias.

26. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the attenuating step comprises reducing the volume of the attenuation device by at least about 5%.

27. A method as in claim 22 , wherein an intravesical pressure spike which would have been at least about 60 cm H 2 O without the attenuation device is maintained by the attenuation device at no more than about 40 cm H 2 O.

28. A method as in claim 27 , wherein an intravesical pressure spike which would have been at least about 80 cm H 2 O without the attenuation device is maintained by the attenuation device at no more than about 50 cm H 2 O.

29. A method as in claim 28 , wherein an intravesical pressure spike which would have been at least about 140 cm H 2 O without the attenuation device is maintained by the attenuation device at no more than about 60 cm H 2 O.

30. A method of improving symptoms of benign hypertrophy of the prostate in a patient, comprising:

placing an attenuation device into the bladder; and

positioning a compressible portion of the device and a compressible medium within the bladder of the patient;

wherein the device inhibits a decrease in compliance of the bladder wall as a consequence of the benign hypertrophy of the prostate while maintaining the compressible medium entirely within the bladder when the device is exposed to increased pressure in the bladder.