US Patent 8632530 Systems and methods for prostate treatment

A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the needle can ablate a continuous lobe region in the prostate parallel to the urethral wall. Another feature of the vapor delivery needle is that it can introduce a cooling fluid into the urethra during treatment. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.