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The History of Prostiva® RF Therapy

Prostiva RF Therapy, also known as Transurethral Needle Ablation or TUNA, is a popular, safe and minimally invasive therapy for those suffering from the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH. It is currently the only treatment for BPH that uses heat produced by radio frequency to target and kill excess prostatic tissue. The Prostiva RF system is inserted through the urethra and deploys two small electrodes inside the prostate. These electrodes deliver targeted heat where the urologist wants it. The heat destroys the enlarged prostatic tissue, which is reabsorbed by the body over the course of 8 to 10 weeks. This results in reduced BPH symptoms and relief that can last for up to five years or more.

Transurethral Needle Ablation and Prostiva RF therapy has a rich history that started with the founding of a medical device company by the name of Vidamed, in California in 1992. In 2002, Vidamed was acquired by Medtronic, based in Minneapolis, MN. In 2011, Urologix, became the exclusive worldwide licensee for the Prostiva® RF Therapy System. With the licensing agreement, Urologix became the leading provider of in-office BPH therapies in the United States. In 2013, Urologix became the licensed manufacturer of the Prostiva RF product and now has sole regulatory and manufacturing responsibility globally.

The future for Prostiva RF, in conjunction with our Cooled ThermoTherapyTM system, is bright as more and more men learn about the benefits of minimally invasive in-office therapy when compared to medications. Speak to your urologist to find out more about Urologix’s minimally invasive BPH therapies and what may be the right option for your particular circumstance.