Method and apparatus for coagulation of superficial blood vessels in bladder and proximal urethra

Abstract

An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat and/or diagnose urological disorders. The non-implantable device includes a light source housed within a light source segment. The light source segment is of a sufficiently small size and configuration so that it can be inserted through the urethra and positioned adjacent the target site in the patient. Different types of light sources can be used to achieve a variety of energy levels and distributions useful in treating incontinence disorders. Both incoherent and coherent light sources may be used with the present invention. In addition, the light from the light source can be designed to be pulsed or continuous wave and may be in any suitable spectrum, including visible (such as white light) and infrared. The particular characteristics of the light emitted from the light source, such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude, etc., depend upon the particular treatment and procedure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A non-implantable device for treating urological disorders, comprising: 
 a light source that provides the required therapeutic light to treat said urological disorders; and    a light source segment that houses said light source, wherein said light source segment is of a sufficiently small size and configuration so that it can be inserted through the urethra of the patient.    
     
     
         2 . The non-implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said light source is a tungsten halogen lamp.  
     
     
         3 . The non-implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said light source is a coherent light source.  
     
     
         4 . The non-implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said light source is pulsed at a pulse timing that varies between a range of approximately 1.0 microsecond to 1.0 millisecond.  
     
     
         5 . The non-implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said light source is a continuous wave light source.  
     
     
         6 . The non-implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said light is a pulsed white light.  
     
     
         7 . The non-implantable device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more light attenuating components to modify beam profile and intensity of said light.  
     
     
         8 . The non-implantable device of  claim 7  wherein said light attenuating components is selected from the group consisting of filters, gratings, apertures, prisms, knife edges, pin holes and lenses.  
     
     
         9 . The non-implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said light source is any light emitting device housed within an integrating sphere.  
     
     
         10 . A non-implantable device for treating urological disorders, comprising: 
 a viewing assembly, wherein said viewing assembly includes an eyepiece, a steering control knob and a light port,    a light source segment housing a light source that provides the required therapeutic light to a target site to treat said urological disorders; and    an elongate portion, said elongate portion having one or more lumen extending along the length of said elongate portion and in communication with said viewing assembly and said light source segment to enable direct visualization and illumination of said target site.    
     
     
         11 . A method of treating urological disorders, comprising: 
 inserting a non-implantable device through the urethra and into the bladder of a patient;    viewing a target site within said bladder using a viewing assembly of said non-implantable device;    positioning a tip of said device adjacent said target site within said bladder;    activating said device to selectively deliver light to said target site;    said light being absorbed primarily only by blood at said target site;    coagulating superficial blood vessels using said light; and    removing said device from said bladder and urethra of said patient.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising using a viewing assembly of said non-implantable device to accurately maneuver said device and identify a location of said target site within said bladder.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said tip of said device through which said light emerges is sufficiently close to said target site so as to effect the desired treatment.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising customizing treatment parameters according to target site location and condition.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said treatment parameters include variable pulsing characteristics and wavelength spectrum of said device.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said wavelength spectrum and pulsing characteristics of said light are customized so that said light is only absorbed by blood and reacts to coagulate said blood.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising ablating said target site using said light.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said light occludes said target site.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said light coagulates said target site.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said light coagulates superficial blood vessels.