Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Enhanced Systems and Methods for Treating Prostate Cancer with Heated Condensable Vapor

Publication ID: 24-11857243_0006_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Systems and Methods for Treating Prostate Cancer with Heated Condensable Vapor,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857243_0006_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857243_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,243.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

Improved systems and methods for treating prostate cancer using heated condensable vapor, providing enhanced efficacy, safety, and efficiency

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent's limitations included the risk of ablating tissue outside the prostate and the need for improved targeting and control. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing thermally-insulated shafts, multi-lumen shafts, and advanced vapor generators, enabling more precise and effective treatment

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new systems and methods comprise vapor delivery devices with thermally-insulated shafts and advanced vapor generators, capable of generating heated condensable vapor at temperatures above 100°C. The devices are designed for trans-perineal or trans-urethral access, ensuring targeted treatment of prostate tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The vapor delivery needles feature hollow shafts with diameters less than 1 mm and lengths of at least 10 cm, allowing for precise navigation and treatment. The vapor generators are configured to deliver vapor at pressures above 10 psi and flow rates above 10 ml/min, ensuring efficient ablation of prostate tissue while minimizing bleeding and pain

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept introduces novel features, such as thermally-insulated shafts, multi-lumen shafts, and advanced vapor generators, which provide improved targeting, control, and efficacy in treating prostate cancer. These advancements are non-obvious and provide a significant improvement over the original patent

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include vapor delivery devices with adjustable vapor flow rates, temperature-controlled vapor generators, or integrated imaging systems for real-time monitoring. Variations may also include different shaft materials, vapor generator designs, or treatment protocols tailored to specific patient needs

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced systems and methods for treating prostate cancer with heated condensable vapor have significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of urology and oncology. The target market includes hospitals, clinics, and medical centers specializing in prostate cancer treatment, with potential for widespread adoption and revenue growth

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B18/042
A A61 A61B8/0841
A A61 A61B18/04
A A61 A61B2018/00005
A A61 A61B2018/00011
A A61 A61B2018/00017
A A61 A61B2018/00023
A A61 A61B2018/00101
A A61 A61B2018/00547
A A61 A61B2018/00577
A A61 A61B2018/00642
A A61 A61B2018/00702
A A61 A61B2018/00744
A A61 A61B2018/00791
A A61 A61B2018/00821
A A61 A61B2018/044
A A61 A61B2018/048
A A61 A61B2090/378
A A61 A61B2090/3784
A A61 A61B2218/007

Field of Art

Medical devices and methods for minimally invasive thermal ablation of prostate tissue, specifically focused on interventional oncology and urological surgical techniques. Requires expertise in medical device design, thermal energy delivery systems, and cancer treatment methodologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or interventional radiologist with advanced degrees, specialized knowledge in medical device design, thermal ablation technologies, and prostate cancer treatment protocols. Familiar with minimally invasive surgical techniques and medical device engineering principles

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's core vapor ablation methodology. The disclosed enhancements in vapor delivery parameters, device geometry, and access techniques represent logical extensions of the original patent's fundamental approach to prostate tissue treatment. These modifications demonstrate standard iterative design approaches common in medical device development

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Vapor delivery needle for prostate tissue ablation
PTD Variation
Needle-like device with hollow shaft diameter <1mm and length >10cm
Obviousness Reasoning
Miniaturization and precise dimensional optimization are predictable design choices for improving medical intervention precision. A PHOSITA would recognize these dimensional modifications as routine engineering refinements
Source Patent Element
Vapor delivery method targeting peripheral prostate zone
PTD Variation
Enhanced vapor generation at temperatures >100°C and pressures >10 psi
Obviousness Reasoning
Incremental improvements in energy delivery parameters represent standard technological progression. Increasing temperature and pressure to improve tissue ablation efficiency would be an obvious approach to enhancing treatment effectiveness
Source Patent Element
Single-lumen vapor delivery needle
PTD Variation
Multi-lumen shaft design with alternative prostate access methods
Obviousness Reasoning
Introducing additional lumens for improved functionality is a known technique in medical device design. A PHOSITA would recognize multiple access routes as a logical extension of the original treatment concept
Source Patent Element
Basic vapor ablation method for prostate cancer treatment
PTD Variation
Integrated imaging systems and temperature-controlled vapor generators
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding real-time monitoring and precise temperature control represents standard technological enhancement in medical intervention technologies. These improvements reflect predictable advancements in medical device capabilities
Source Patent Element
Vapor delivery through single needle insertion
PTD Variation
Adjustable vapor flow rates and treatment protocols
Obviousness Reasoning
Customizable treatment parameters are a foreseeable development in medical technologies. A PHOSITA would understand that patient-specific variations represent a natural progression in therapeutic device design
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 103, the technical variations disclosed herein would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, when considered in light of US Patent 11857243. The incremental improvements in vapor delivery methodology, device geometry, and treatment parameters represent predictable engineering extensions that do not rise to the level of non-obvious innovation, thereby establishing this disclosure as valid prior art against potential future patent claims in prostate cancer treatment technologies.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,243
TitleSystems and methods for treating prostate cancer
Assignee(s)Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.