US Patent 7797049 Neurostimulation delivery during transurethral prostate treatment

In general, the invention provides a transurethral ablation device comprising an electrode for delivery of neurostimulation therapy to a patient to prevent or alleviate pain experienced during the course of a transurethral ablation procedure. The device may include a conductive ablation needle that delivers electrical current for ablation of prostate tissue, as well as neurostimulation current to prevent or alleviate pain encountered in response to the ablation current. In this sense, the ablation needle is integrated with a neurostimulation electrode. Alternatively, the device may incorporate a dedicated neurostimulation electrode independently of the ablation needle, either on the needle or on a catheter body that carries the needle.