APPARATUS FOR TREATING URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

摘要

The invention provides an apparatus for treating urinary tract infections. The apparatus comprises an elongate probe comprising a coaxial cable for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the coaxial cable for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, and a gas conduit for conveying gas to the probe tip. The coaxial cable comprises an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric material separating the inner conductor from the outer conductor. The probe tip comprises a first electrode connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, and a second electrode connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable. The second electrode encloses an internal volume of the probe tip, wherein the first electrode extends longitudinally within the internal volume. The probe tip further comprises an insulating cap mounted at a distal end of the coaxial cable to isolate the coaxial cable from the internal volume. The gas conduit is in fluid communication with the internal volume via a flow path formed between the insulating cap and the second electrode. The first electrode and second electrode are configured to receive the RF and/or microwave energy from the coaxial cable to set up an electric field in the internal volume across a flow path of gas received from the gas conduit to produce a thermal or non-thermal plasma therein. The probe tip includes an outlet for releasing plasma from the internal volume. The probe tip comprises a conductive cap mounted on the first electrode at a distal end of the internal volume, the conductive cap being spaced from a distal end of the second electrode to define the outlet.