Disposable protective cover for RF treatment apparatus

• US 20060113102A1
• Filed: 08/11/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regenesis Biomedical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Regenesis Biomedical Incorporated
• Inventors: Loya, Arthur A., Bryant, Robert T., Ritz, Mary C., George, Frank R., Daly, Michael F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,572,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/377
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/16 Screening or neutralising undesirable influences from or using, atmospheric or terrestrial radiation or fields using atmospheric electricity or earth currents H05F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: G21H 1/00 Arrangements for obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources, e.g. from radioactive isotopes , nuclear or atomic batteries

Abstract

A disposable cover for electromagnetic treatment applicators prevents undesired exposure to potentially harmful radiation. The cover is a pouch-like structure having a back surface constructed from shielding material, such as metallized polyethylene, which back surface faces opposite, or away from, the treatment area. At least a portion of the cover which faces the treatment area is constructed solely from RF non-shielding material. Securing means, such as adhesive strips, or interlocking edges, secure the applicator inside the cover and close off any leaks. The electromagnetic properties of the cover are integrated into the circuitry for the treatment applicator, such that the applicator is not functional in the absence of the cover. In use, an electromagnetic treatment applicator is inserted into the cover and positioned over the area to be treated with the non-shielding portion or window of the cover overlying the treatment area. Once assembled, the applicator/cover combination forms a closely matched and tuned network for effecting a highly efficient RF output. When activated, the generated electromagnetic energy only exits the cover through the RF non shielding portion or window, thereby preventing exposure of the patient or caregiver to potentially harmful radiation.

Claims

1. A cover for enclosing a high frequency pulsed electromagnetic radiation treatment applicator to limit the direction of radiation of pulsed electromagnetic energy from the applicator, said cover including from surface having an area of RF non shielding material, a back surface having an area of RF shielding material whereby the pulsed electromagnetic energy is radiated only through an area of said front surface and an open end for inserting the applicator into said cover.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover is of waterproof material.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover is of bacterial resistant material.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cover is of water proof material.

5. An apparatus for enclosing an RF radiation treatment applicator to limit radiation of RF energy from the treatment applicator through a predetermined area of said apparatus, said apparatus comprising a cover having a front surface including RF non shielding material defining the predetermined area, a back surface of RF shielding material, at least one open end adapted for inserting the treatment applicator and at least one section of RF shielding material removably connected to said front surface of said cover for selectively limiting transmission of RF energy.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said at least one strip is removably adhered to said front surface.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said at least one strip comprises multiple strips, each of said multiple strips being detachably attached to said front surface.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said cover is waterproof.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said cover is of bacterial resistant material.

10. A method for irradiating tissue with RF energy from a treatment applicator connected through a cord to a power generator, said method comprising the steps of placing the treatment applicator within a disposable cover through an opening of the cover to protect the treatment applicator from contamination and to protect a technician from RF radiation emitted from the treatment applicator, enclosing the treatment applicator within the cover, transmitting RF energy from the treatment applicator through a first area of the cover adjacent the tissue to be treated, and inhibiting transmission of RF energy through a remaining second area of the cover.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the cover includes a top side generally coincident with the second area and a bottom side generally coincident with the first area and wherein said step of transmitting is adapted to be carried out through the bottom side.

12. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the cover includes a top side and a bottom side and wherein said step of inhibiting is adapted to be carried out through the top side.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said step of transmitting is adapted to be carried out through the bottom side.

14. The method as set forth in claim 10 including the steps of removing the cover from about the treatment applicator and placing the cover into a disposal receptacle after said step of removing is carried out.

15. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first area includes at least one strip of RF shielding material detachably attached to the first area and including the step of detaching at least a segment of a strip from the first area.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 including a plurality of strips of RF shielding material detachably attached to the first area and the step of detaching a selected strip of the plurality of strips.