Abstract: An indwelling catheter for insertion into a patient's urinary tract is provided that includes first and second tubular members that enable drainage of physiological fluids. An inflatable balloon is attached to the second tubular member. The first and second tubular members are interconnected by a connecting tube forming a gap between the first and second tubular members. The connecting tube is in fluid communication with the balloon to enable the balloon to be inflated via the connecting tube. When the balloon is anchored within the urinary bladder the second tubular member is located within the prostatic urethra with one end in close proximity to the sphincter and the other end protruding into the urinary bladder. The first tubular member is located within the penile urethra with one end in close proximity to the sphincter so that the connecting tube traverses the sphincter permitting voluntary control of the sphincter.

Abstract: A temperature-setting device for providing a predetermined temperature to a quantity of fluid circulating therethrough, a thermal treatment apparatus including such device for selectively treating a targeted tissue adjacent a subject's body cavity, and techniques using such thermal treatment apparatus are provided. The temperature-setting device comprises: an electrically conducting tubular element, a housing element for receiving the tubular element; and a transformer electrically connectable to the housing element. The tubular element functions as a resistor and heats the fluid circulating therethrough. Alternatively, the housing element comprises a thermal conducting member disposed within a bath of a cooling substance, the thermal conducting member having a recess for receiving the tubular element.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products include modular single-use disposable catheter assemblies with cassettes configured to matably engage with a console to circulate liquid to a treatment balloon in a closed loop circulation system. The console is portable, compact, and can be programmed to administer a plurality of different therapy types and to engage with different catheter configurations via the cassette body.

Abstract: Combination catheters/stents includes matable female and male members which, when engaged, deliver the desired therapy, typically a thermal therapy, to the targeted tissue in the body. At the conclusion of the delivery of the therapy regimen, the female and male matable members disengage allowing one member (the stent portion) to remain in the body proximate the treatment site of the subject while the other member (primarily the catheter portion which with the stent portion allows delivery of desired treatment) can be removed from the body of the subject. The combination catheter/stent requires only a single insertion procedure reducing the trauma potentially introduced to tissue (either along the lumen or at the targeted treatment site) in the body.

Abstract: Medical devices that are configured for insertion into a body lumen, such as the male urethra, are provided with one or more inflatable balloons having elastic sleeves, wherein each elastic sleeve is adapted to inflate in response to inflation of a respective balloon, and to deflate in response to deflation of the respective balloon. When a balloon is in a deflated condition a respective elastic sleeve exerts a circumferentially compressive force against the balloon to cause a smooth, reduced cross-sectional profile of the balloon along an axial extent thereof. This smooth, reduced cross-sectional profile can facilitate passage of the medical device through a body lumen during both insertion and extraction of the medical device. A thin layer of fluid may be disposed between a treatment balloon and a respective elastic sleeve to facilitate heat transfer from a treatment balloon to a surrounding elastic sleeve or to administer a therapeutic agent to localized tissue.

Abstract: Medical devices that are configured for insertion into a body lumen, such as the male urethra, are provided with one or more inflatable balloons having elastic sleeves, wherein each elastic sleeve is adapted to inflate in response to inflation of a respective balloon, and to deflate in response to deflation of the respective balloon. When a balloon is in a deflated condition, a respective elastic sleeve exerts a circumferentially compressive force against the balloon to cause a smooth, reduced cross-sectional profile of the balloon along an axial extent thereof. This smooth, reduced cross-sectional profile can facilitate passage of the medical device through a body lumen during both insertion and extraction of the medical device. A thin layer of fluid may be disposed between a treatment balloon and a respective elastic sleeve to facilitate heat transfer from a treatment balloon to a surrounding elastic sleeve or to administer a therapeutic agent to localized tissue.

Abstract: A prostatic stent is configured as a unitary body, which is adapted to reside above the sphincter when in position in a subject and allow normal functioning of the sphincter. The stent includes and elongated and substantially narrow conduit, which extends through the sphincter and outside the body of the subject. The conduit is sized and constructed to allow normal operation of the sphincter. The stent also includes and upper and/or an intermediate inflatable portions and may include a second conduit for the introduction of medication to the stent.

Abstract: Methods of treating the prostate include administering a thermal ablation therapy and inhibiting the obstruction or closure of the prostatic urethral opening by forming a biodegradable stent in situ in the subject such that the stent attaches to the walls of the prostatic urethra. A related method of treating BPH includes thermally treating or ablating localized tissue in the prostate with a treatment catheter and inserting flowable stent material via the treatment catheter into the prostate (either before, during, or after the thermal treatment), forming the flowable stent material so that it defines a stent that remains in position after removal of the treatment catheter to inhibit the closure of the urinary passage. Associated stents and catheters are included.