Abstract: A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially moveable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue.

Abstract: A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially moveable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue.

Abstract: A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially moveable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue.

Abstract: A method for calculating the impedance in a first circuit coupling a first radio frequency electrode to a radio frequency controller where the first electrode is disposed in tissue in the vicinity of a second radio frequency electrode coupled to a second circuit. The impedance IMP of the first circuit is measured when energy is being supplied to both electrodes. The impedance IMP0 of the first circuit is also measured when energy is being supplied to the first electrode but not to the second electrode, and subtracted from the impedance value IMP to determine a delta value IMP&Dgr;. The impedance IMP2 of the first circuit is then measured when energy is being supplied to both electrodes. The impedance delta value IMP&Dgr; is subtracted from the impedance value IMP2 to arrive at a calculated impedance value for the first circuit. A computer-readable memory and apparatus utilizing the method are provided.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the impedance in a circuit coupling a radio frequency electrode to a radio frequency generator to control the power supplied by the generator to the electrode during a treatment procedure. In the method, the impedance in the circuit is monitored over a length of time. An expected impedance at the end of the treatment procedure is calculated from the monitored impedance and compared to a predetermined maximum impedance. The power supplied to the circuit is reduced if the expected impedance is greater than the predetermined maximum impedance. A computer-readable memory and apparatus utilizing the method are provided.

Abstract: A method for calculating the impedance in a first circuit coupling a first radio frequency electrode to a radio frequency controller where the first electrode is disposed in tissue in the vicinity of a second radio frequency electrode coupled to a second circuit. The impedance IMP of the first circuit is measured when energy is being supplied to both electrodes. The impedance IMP0 of the first circuit is also measured when energy is being supplied to the first electrode but not to the second electrode, and subtracted from the impedance value IMP to determine a delta value IMP. The impedance IMP2 of the first circuit is then measured when energy is being supplied to both electrodes. The impedance delta value IMP is subtracted from the impedance value IMP2 to arrive at a calculated impedance value for the first circuit. A computer-readable memory and apparatus utilizing the method are provided.

Abstract: A method for treating tissue of a mammalian body in which the conductivity of the tissue is characterized. The amount of a conductive liquid to supply to the tissue is determined as a function of the conductivity of the tissue and injected into the tissue over an interval of time. Electromagnetic energy is supplied to the tissue to form a lesion in the tissue. A computer-readable memory and a radio frequency generator and controller utilizing such method are further provided.

Abstract: A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially moveable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities and a passage extending from the proximal extremity to an opening at the distal extremity. The elongate probe member is provided with an elongate cutout adjacent the opening so that the elongate probe member is formed with an elongate extension projecting alongside the cutout beyond the opening. A guide canula is mounted in the passage of the elongate probe member and has proximal and distal extremities and a lumen extending therethrough. A radio frequency electrode is disposed in the lumen and an insulating sleeve is coaxially disposed on the radio frequency electrode. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity of the guide canula for advancing and retracting the radio frequency electrode and the insulating sleeve with respect to the guide canula and for causing bending of the distal extremity of the guide cannula into the cutout.

Abstract: A device for delivering a topically applied anesthetic agent gel to a wall forming a passage in tissue comprising a flexible elongate cylindrical member having proximal and distal extremities. The member is sized so that it can be inserted into the passage. An anesthetic agent is carried by the member for supplying the anesthetic agent along at least the distal extremity of the member for a sufficient period of time to anesthesize the wall and the tissue surrounding the wall whereby other medical devices can be inserted into the passage without substantial pain to the patient.

Abstract: A transurethral needle ablation device for use by a human hand to treat the prostate of a human male. The device includes a cartridge assembly having an elongate probe member and a stylet. The elongate probe member has proximal and distal extremities and is provided with a passageway extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. The stylet is slidably mounted in the passageway of the elongate probe member. A housing is included in the device. The cartridge assembly is removably mountable on the housing. An assembly adapted for actuation by the human hand is carried by the housing and coupled to the proximal extremity of the stylet for causing the distal extremity of the stylet to extend into the tissue of the prostate.

Abstract: A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue.

Abstract: A medical probe device of this invention comprising a catheter having a control end and a probe end. The probe end includes a stylet guide housing having at least one stylet port and stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. A stylet is positioned in at least one of said stylet guide means, the stylet comprising a non-conductive sleeve having a RF electrode lumen and an optional a fluid supply lumen and a temperature sensor lumen therein. At least one portion of an opposed surface of the electrode lumen and the electrode can be spaced apart to define a liquid supply passageway for delivery of medicament liquid.

Abstract: A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially movable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue.

Abstract: A medical probe device of this invention comprising a catheter having a control end and a probe end. The probe end includes a stylet guide housing having at least one stylet port and stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. A stylet is positioned in at least one of said stylet guide means, the stylet comprising a non-conductive sleeve having a RF electrode lumen and an optional a fluid supply lumen and a temperature sensor lumen therein. At least one portion of an opposed surface of the electrode lumen and the electrode can be spaced apart to define a liquid supply passageway for delivery of medicament liquid.

Abstract: A medical device for the treatment by radio frequency ablation of a target volume in tissue of a prostate comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities and having a passage therein extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. The elongate probe member is sized so that it can be introduced into the urethra. At least one guide tube having proximal and distal extremities is mounted in the passage of the elongate probe member for nonlongitudinal movement therein. The at least one guide tube has a lumen extending therethrough from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A radio frequency conductive electrode is disposed in the lumen. A handle is coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member and includes a finger actuatable mechanism secured to the radio frequency electrode for advancing and retracting the radio frequency electrode with respect to the at least one guide tube.

Abstract: A medical probe device of this invention comprising a catheter having a control end and a probe end. The probe end includes a stylet guide housing having at least one stylet port and stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. A stylet is positioned in at least one of said stylet guide means, the stylet comprising a non-conductive sleeve having a RF electrode lumen and an optional a fluid supply lumen and a temperature sensor lumen therein. At least one portion of an opposed surface of the electrode lumen and the electrode can be spaced apart to define a liquid supply passageway for delivery of medicament liquid.

Abstract: A medical probe device for introduction by way of a natural body opening into a tubular internal anatomical part of the body includes an elongate member having proximal and distal extremities and a passageway extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity along a longitudinal axis, a transparent guide piece mounted on the distal extremity of the elongate member, the transparent guide piece having proximal and distal extremities and a bore therein defining a guide piece lumen extending from the proximal extremity of the guide piece distally at least part way to the distal extremity of the guide piece, the guide piece lumen being in communication with the passageway in the elongate member, an optical viewing element movable within the passageway of the elongate member and having a distal extremity movable within the guide piece lumen, a handle mechanism mounted on the proximal extremity of the elongate member, and a further mechanism carried by the handle for mounting the distal extremity of the

Abstract: A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially moveable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue.

Abstract: A medical probe for the treatment by radio frequency ablation of tissue in a human comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities. The elongate probe member has a longitudinal axis and at least one passage extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A guide cannula is mounted in the at least one passage of the elongate probe member and has proximal and distal extremities with the distal extremity of the guide cannula being in the vicinity of the distal extremity of the elongate probe member. The guide cannula has an opening in the distal extremity and a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the opening in the distal extremity. A stylet is slidably disposed in the lumen of the guide cannula and includes a radio frequency electrode having a distal portion and a layer of insulating material disposed around the radio frequency so that at least the distal portion is exposed. A handle is coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member.