Treatment of tissue in sphincters, sinuses, and orifices
The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treatment of a body part. More particularly, a method and apparatus for heat treatment of tissue using a catheter inserted into a body part is described along with means for positioning the catheter and means for positioning a set of electrodes relative to a tissue sample for treatment. Still more particularly, radio frequency energy at about 400 to 500 kilohertz is used to provide heat for the tissue treatment.
1. A method of tissue heat treatment of urinary incontinence in a woman, comprising the steps of:
inserting a catheter into the womans's urethra, said catheter comprising:
a set of penetrating electrodes configured to extend into the tissue targeted for heat treatment;
extending the electrodes through the walls of the urethra to penetrate the tissue targeted for treatment; and
delivering electromagnetic energy to said tissue targeted for treatment from the electrodes, wherein said electromagnetic energy comprises radio frequency energy.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said set of electrodes comprises four to eight electrodes.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said set of electrodes comprises four electrodes.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of extending comprises operating a mechanical control integrated into said catheter.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
anchoring said catheter through inflation of a balloon attached to said catheter.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of:
anchoring the catheter at or near the neck of the bladder.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
repositioning said catheter by rotation.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
repositioning said catheter by translation to deliver electromagnetic energy to multiple target regions.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said radio frequency energy comprises energy at about 400 to 500 kilohertz.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said step of delivering electromagnetic energy comprises a period of less than about ten minutes.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
introducing said catheter through a urethra into a bladder.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said catheter comprises a tapered tip, wherein said tapered tip is at least one of flexible and rigid.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of delivering radio frequency energy comprises denaturing of cellular proteins.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of extending the electrodes is independent from a step of anchoring said catheter.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said set of electrodes surround a central axis.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
firmly holding said catheter relative to said tissue sample.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said set of electrodes comprises a set of about four to eight electrodes.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein said catheter comprises a blunt tapered tip.
19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
cooling said tissue sample.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said step of cooling comprises the step of:
delivering a flowable substance about said tissue sample, wherein said flowable substance prevents collateral thermal damage.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein said step of delivering a flowable substance is simultaneous with said step of delivering electromagnetic energy.
22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the catheter comprises:
threading said catheter through the woman's urethra until a tapered tip of the catheter and deflated balloon reaches the bladder using strict aseptic technique.
23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising the step of:
anchoring said catheter with a balloon.
24. The method of claim 22 , further comprising the step of:
lubricating said tapered tip prior to said step of threading.
25. The method of claim 22 , further comprising any of the steps of:
washing an area around the urinary meatus; and
pretreating an area around at least a portion of said urinary meatus with a topical anesthetic before insertion.