Importance

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Abstract

An instrument for and method of effectively treating the prostatic urethra so as to relieve the symptoms associated with an enlarged urethra is disclosed. The tissue of at least selected portions of the prostate are compressed (preferably with a balloon inserted into the prostatic urethra so as to enhance hemostasis) and at least selected portions of the compressed tissue are directly irradiated (preferably with a laser beam transmitted from within the passageway in selected radial directions and moved along the prostatic urethra while exposing the tissue) so as to cause coagulation necrosis of selected portions of the compressed tissue so that as the tissue heals, the necrosed tissue slowly sloughs off during normal urination through the urinary tract so as to effectively remove the constricted portions of the prostatic urethra. Ultrasonic transducers are used from within the prostatic urethra to image the tissue as it is irradiated so as to monitor the procedure to insure proper exposure to the laser beam.

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First Claim