Abstract: A device and system for delivery of a flowable biocompatible material to a tissue tract in a controlled manner generally includes reservoirs adapted to be in fluid connection with a cannula, a discharging mechanism adapted to discharge the contents of the reservoirs and a cannula retractor to withdraw the cannula. The cannula retractor is operably interconnected with the discharging mechanism so that a measured quantity of the reservoirs contents is smoothly discharged to substantially fill at least a portion of the tissue tract.

Abstract: A device and system for delivery of a flowable biocompatible material to a tissue tract in a controlled manner generally includes a reservoir adapted to be in fluid connection with a cannula, a discharging mechanism adapted to discharge the contents of the reservoir and a cannula retractor to withdraw the cannula. The cannula retractor is operably interconnected with the discharging mechanism so that a measured quantity of the reservoir contents is smoothly discharged to substantially fill at least a portion of the tissue tract.

Abstract: A rectal thermosensing unit includes, according to one aspect thereof, an elongate member having an inflation lumen extending therethrough. An inflatable balloon is supported by the elongate member. An interior of the inflatable balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. An insertion lumen extends through the elongate member. An introducer is insertable into the insertion lumen. At least one temperature sensing device is supported by the inflatable balloon. The rectal thermosensing probe is located in a rectum by inserting the introducer into the inflation lumen, inserting the inflatable balloon supported by the elongate member having the introducer inserted in the insertion lumen therein into the rectum, removing the introducer from the insertion lumen, and inflating the inflatable balloon by providing fluid through the inflation lumen.

Abstract: A liquid coolant supply system for supplying a liquid coolant to a thermal therapy catheter includes a sensor control unit, a liquid coolant containment unit and mounts. The sensor control unit includes a pump, a cooling device, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor. The liquid coolant containment unit includes a sealed reservoir, a coolant-sensor interface module and a pump interface fluidly coupled to the thermal therapy catheter. The coolant-sensor interface module includes a body defining a fluid chamber, a temperature interface supported adjacent the fluid chamber within the body, and a pressure interface supported adjacent the fluid chamber within the body. The mounts removably support the sealed reservoir, pump interface, temperature interface and pressure interface of the containment unit adjacent the cooling device, the pump, the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A system for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia within intraprostatic tissue surrounding a urethra is disclosed. The system includes an intraurethral catheter having an intraurethral catheter shaft. An antenna is located within the catheter shaft for delivering heat to the intraprostatic tissue surrounding the urethra. Coolant fluid is circulated through a chamber located between the catheter shaft and the urethral wall.

Abstract: An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for absorbing thermal energy conducted by the tissue and asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna--a greater amount of electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of the shaft. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it cylindrically asymmetrical, which effectively focuses microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate anterior and lateral to the urethra, and away from healthy tissue posterior to the urethra.

Abstract: An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for absorbing thermal energy conducted by the tissue and asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna--a greater amount of electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of the shafts. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it cylindrically asymmetrical, which effectively focuses microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate anterior and lateral to the urethra, and away from healthy tissue posterior to the urethra.

Abstract: A method for treating an individual with diseased prostatic tissue, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, includes inserting a catheter into a urethra to position a microwave antenna located within the catheter adjacent a prostatic region of the urethra. A microwave antenna is then driven within a power range for applying microwave energy substantially continuously to prostatic tissue to heat the prostatic tissue surrounding the microwave antenna at a temperature and for a time period sufficient to cause necrosis of the prostatic tissue.

Abstract: A rectal thermosensing unit for sensing temperature of a patient's rectal tissue includes a temperature sensing device and an inflatable balloon defining a void interior. The balloon is coupled to and supports the temperature sensing device. Inflation of the balloon positions and maintains the temperature sensing device in contact with the rectal tissue without compressing the rectal tissue.

Abstract: An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for absorbing thermal energy conducted by the tissue and asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna--a greater amount of electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of the shaft. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it cylindrically asymmetrical, which effectively focuses microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate anterior and lateral to the urethra, and away from healthy tissue posterior to the urethra.

Abstract: A liquid coolant supply system for supplying a liquid coolant to a thermal therapy catheter includes a sensor control unit, a liquid coolant containment unit and mounts. The sensor control unit includes a pump, a cooling device, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor. The liquid coolant containment unit includes a sealed reservoir, a coolant-sensor interface module and a pump interface fluidly coupled to the thermal therapy catheter. The coolant-sensor interface module includes a body defining a fluid chamber, a temperature interface supported adjacent the fluid chamber within the body, and a pressure interface supported adjacent the fluid chamber within the body. The mounts removably support the sealed reservoir, pump interface, temperature interface and pressure interface of the containment unit adjacent the cooling device, the pump, the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A system for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia within intraprostatic tissue surrounding a urethra is disclosed. The system includes an intraurethral catheter having an intraurethral catheter shaft. An antenna is located within the catheter shaft for delivering heat to the intraprostatic tissue surrounding the urethra. Coolant fluid is circulated through a chamber located between the catheter shaft and the urethral wall.

Abstract: A system for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia within intraprostatic tissue surrounding a urethra is disclosed. The system includes an intraurethral catheter having an intraurethral catheter shaft. An antenna is located within the catheter shaft for delivering heat to the intraprostatic tissue surrounding the urethra. Coolant fluid is circulated through a chamber located between the catheter shaft and the urethral wall.

Abstract: An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for absorbing thermal energy conducted by the tissue and asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna--a greater amount of electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of the shaft. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it cylindrically asymmetrical, which effectively focuses microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate anterior and lateral to the urethra, and away from healthy tissue posterior to the urethra.

Abstract: A system for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia within intraprostatic tissue surrounding a urethra is disclosed. The system includes an intraurethral catheter having an intraurethral catheter shaft. An antenna is located within the catheter shaft for delivering heat to the intraprostatic tissue surrounding the urethra. Coolant fluid is circulated through a chamber located between the catheter shaft and the urethral wall.

Abstract: An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for absorbing thermal energy conducted by the tissue and asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna--a greater amount of electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of the shaft. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it cylindrically asymmetrical, which effectively focuses microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate anterior and lateral to the urethra, and away from healthy tissue posterior to the urethra.

Abstract: An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for absorbing thermal energy conducted by the tissue and asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna--a greater amount of electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of the shaft. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it cylindrically asymmetrical, which effectively focuses microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate anterior and lateral to the urethra, and away from healthy tissue posterior to the urethra.

Abstract: An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for absorbing thermal energy conducted by the tissue and asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna--a greater amount of electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of the shaft. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it cylindrically asymmetrical, which effectively focuses microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate anterior and lateral to the urethra, and away from healthy tissue posterior to the urethra.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for advancing an optical fiber in a laser enhanced transluminal angioplasty catheter, and for controlling the introduction of laser energy into the fiber. The device includes a catheter and a fiber advance housing. The optical fiber runs through the catheter and housing, and is optically connected to a source of laser energy. A fiber advance assembly, mounted in the housing, reciprocates to advance and retract the fiber relative to the catheter and housing. An actuator member is provided inside the housing to slide independently of the fiber advance assembly. A switching means, provided in the housing, is closed to enable introduction of laser energy into the optical fiber whenever the fiber advance assembly is disposed forwardly of a select position relative to the actuator member. The switching means is open, thereby preventing introduction of laser energy into the fiber, whenever the fiber advance assembly is disposed rearwardly of the select position.

Abstract: A manifold connector, sheath connector and housing connector are provided for independently connecting a fiber enclosing sheath and (laser enhanced) fiber optic catheter housing to a transluminal balloon catheter manifold. The housing connector includes a locking plate enclosure, and a planar locking plate contained in the enclosure to reciprocate between open and locking positions, and spring biased into the locking position. The sheath connector includes an elongate cylindrical body attached to the distal end of the sheath, a disc extended radially outward of the body, and a sleeve extended forwardly of the disc perimeter and coaxial with the body. Two elongate levers also are mounted to the disc perimeter, and normally are aligned with the sleeve. A detent extends radially inward from the distal end of each lever.