Closed circulation tissue warming apparatus

Abstract

Abstract The present invention is directed to a closed circulation tissue warming apparatus for use during surgery to maintain the temperature of tissues at a desired level and to a method of using the apparatus in prostate surgery particularly during transperineal cryo-ablation of the prostate gland in human males to maintain the temperature of the urethral tissues and thereby prevent urethral sloughing. It may also have utility where it is desired to lower the temperature of surrounding tissues, such as during laser ablation. The apparatus includes a multi-lumen catheter (1) inserted into the urethra and connected to a fluid warming and circulation control means whereby warmed water is circulated through the lumen (21, 22) at a controlled flow rate and temperature. The concentric lumen structure of the catheter provides improved flow and even temperature maintenance along the length of the catheter and the urethra.

Inventors

• 👤 John G. Baust
• 👤 Zhaohua Chang
• 👤 Jeffrey Cohen
• 👤 Gary Onik
• 👤 George Reyes

Bibliographic Details