Microwave devices for treating biological samples and tissue and methods for using same
First Claim
1. A method for using an Rf or microwave emitting device, comprising providing an emitting device comprising a multi-patch, annular antenna, slot antenna, or multiple-annular ring antenna formed within a flexible substrate and housed in an sleeve having an inflatable region, and further comprising a generator connected to a wave guide or wire linked to the antenna;
- positioning the emitting device proximate to the sample or tissue under conditions in which the Rf or microwave energy can penetrate through the sleeve, and wherein the inflatable region can be inflated to apply pressure to one or more points of contact between an emitting surface of the antenna and the surface of the sample or tissue; and
creating one or more Rf or microwave pulses of about 1 msec in length and of a frequency and energy that penetrates to a desired depth of a sample or tissue, wherein the energy penetrating the sample or tissue focuses on a predetermined region or area below a surface of the sample or tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides Rf and more particularly microwave treatment devices for biological samples or tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna are capable of directing energy to a particularly focussed area under the surface of the skin of a human. In other embodiments, the flexible antenna provides efficient delivery of energy to the sample or tissue regardless of the conformation of the antenna.
90 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method for using an Rf or microwave emitting device, comprising
providing an emitting device comprising a multi-patch, annular antenna, slot antenna, or multiple-annular ring antenna formed within a flexible substrate and housed in an sleeve having an inflatable region, and further comprising a generator connected to a wave guide or wire linked to the antenna; -
positioning the emitting device proximate to the sample or tissue under conditions in which the Rf or microwave energy can penetrate through the sleeve, and wherein the inflatable region can be inflated to apply pressure to one or more points of contact between an emitting surface of the antenna and the surface of the sample or tissue; and
creating one or more Rf or microwave pulses of about 1 msec in length and of a frequency and energy that penetrates to a desired depth of a sample or tissue, wherein the energy penetrating the sample or tissue focuses on a predetermined region or area below a surface of the sample or tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A microwave emitting device for treating skin comprising:
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an antenna capable of emitting a directional, focused beam of energy, wherein the antenna is embedded in a flexible substrate having a selected dielectric constant, and wherein the substrate has a back surface and a front surface;
a solution-filled bolus attached to the substrate at the front surface of the substrate, wherein the solution is encased in a solid plastic having a desired dielectric constant and wherein the bolus is about 5 mm in thickness;
a power supply connected to the antenna and capable of sending appropriate power to the antenna to create a microwave pulse. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An Rf or microwave emitting device comprising
a cylindrical waveguide having a closed end and a field-emitting end, a probe inserted into an internal area filled with a dielectric compound or resin, and the probe connected to a generator; -
optionally a cylindrical trap surrounding the internal area and separated by a gap of a desired distance;
and an ultrasound transducer and receiver. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A microwave emitting device for treating tissue or fluid, comprising:
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an antenna capable of emitting a directional field causing a focused area of thermal effect in the tissue or fluid, wherein the antenna is formed on or embedded in a substrate having a selected dielectric constant, and wherein the substrate has a back surface and a front emitting surface, wherein the antenna design is selected from an annular slot, coplanar patch, or multipatch antenna;
a cover, sleeve, or holding device capable of temporarily fixing the front emitting surface of the antenna to a tissue or body part or a tank or tube filled with a fluid for treatment; and
a power supply connected to the antenna and capable of sending appropriate power to the antenna to create a microwave pulse that is directed into the tank. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of using an Rf or microwave emitting device, comprising
providing an emitting device comprising a cylindrical, multi-patch or multiple-annular ring antenna formed on or within a substrate, optionally having an aqueous solution-filled bolus on a surface of the antenna for contacting a sample or tissue, and a generator connected to a wave guide or wire linked to the antenna; -
positioning the emitting device proximate to the sample or tissue under conditions in which the Rf or microwave energy can penetrate the tissue and optionally through the bolus; and
creating one or more Rf or microwave pulses of about 1 msec in length and of a frequency and energy that penetrates through the bolus and is capable of penetrating to a desired depth of a sample or tissue, wherein the energy penetrating the sample or tissue focuses on a predetermined area below a surface of the sample or tissue and does not heat the surface of the sample or tissue in a substantially detectable manner. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A skin or muscle tissue treatment system comprising:
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at least one flexible microwave antenna formed on or within a substrate having a skin contact side and an opposite side;
a computer-controlled generator for sending microwave pulses through a feed line to the antenna and monitoring the field produced as a result of the pulses;
wherein the frequency of the microwaves selected for the generator is mismatched relative to the frequency of the antenna, and the substrate is selected to allow microwaves to penetrate and treat skin or muscle tissue below the surface of the skin. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification