3D MICROWAVE SYSTEM AND METHODS

• US 20130166004A1
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joel Fallik
• Original Assignee: Joel Fallik
• Inventors: Fallik, Joel
• Application Number:
  US13/608,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20130166004A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0507 using microwaves or terahertz waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/704 Tables
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/007 for cooling the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/01 Devices for producing movement of radiation source during therapy A61N5/1077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/025 Warming the body, e.g. hyperthermia treatment

Abstract

A therapeutic microwave system comprises a support unit having two or more separable segments; a microwave power assembly positioned between two separated segments of the support unit and including two or more microwave power supply devices; position adjustment componentry; and a central processing unit. The system may further include a temperature sensor for monitoring a treated subject'"'"'s exhaled air temperature in real time and adjusting microwave irradiation accordingly, and a cooling device for controlling the patient'"'"'s brain temperature during treatment.

Claims

1. A system to heat body portions using controlled microwave energy, comprising:

(a) a support unit adapted to support a subject or subject body portion;

(b) a microwave power assembly adapted for the receipt of the subject or subject body portion on said support unit, the microwave power assembly being further adapted to move translationally in an axial direction relative to the support unit and comprising two or more microwave power supply devices mounted to a support frame for mutually independent motion and, alternately, joint motion in tandem with one another, each of the two or more microwave power supply devices being capable of emitting a focused directional wave of microwave frequency energy at a controllable power level;

(c) at least one position adjustment element arranged to electromechanically position the microwave power assembly and the two or more microwave power supply devices relative to the subject or subject body portion on said support unit; and

(d) a central processor unit that is in electronic communication with the position adjustment element and the two or more microwave power supply devices, that is adapted to control the positioning of the microwave power assembly and the two or more microwave power supply devices, and that is arranged to control at least one of the power level, the wave focus, the wavelength, phase, wave direction, and waveform of each of the waves of microwave frequency energy emitted by the microwave power supply devices.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a detector for determining the temperature of air exhaled by the subject during treatment, the temperature detector being in electronic communication with the central processor unit to correlate and control microwave emission by the two or more microwave power supply devices based on the subject'"'"'s exhaled air temperature.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the temperature detector comprises a thermocouple positioned within a breathing port element into which the subject exhales, and wherein the thermocouple measures the exhaled air temperature and transmits it in electronic form to the central processing unit, which is configured to calculate an internal lung temperature and adjust the power level of the microwave power supply devices accordingly.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the temperature detector includes components for the administration of anesthesia to the subject.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the support unit is comprised of two or more separable segments and the microwave power assembly is disposed between two separated segments of the support unit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the two or more microwave power supply devices generate square wave microwaves.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one position adjustment element includes a robotic arm.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the two or more microwave power supply devices generate one or more types of microwaves taken from the group consisting of triangular wave microwaves, impulse spike microwaves, and square wave microwaves.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising means to provide a direct impingement of a fine mist of coolant on the subject'"'"'s neck to effect a rapid and controlled cooling of the brain of the subject.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the two or more microwave power supply devices comprise magnetron generators.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising apparatus to cool the brain of a patient, said apparatus comprising two sprayers, each directed toward a carotid artery of said patient, wherein each said sprayer emits a cooling mist on the skin surface proximate said artery, and said mist comprises a fluid at or near the gaseous state at room temperature.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said fluid is liquid Nitrogen.

11. A method for determining the temperature of a subject'"'"'s lungs in real time, comprising the step of measuring the temperature of air exhaled by the subject.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising operating a sensor to detect whether the subject is inhaling or exhaling, and limiting said temperature measurements to a period during which the subject is exhaling.

13. A method of treating a subject, comprising:

(a) providing a support unit for receiving the subject;

(b) disposing a microwave power assembly about a portion of the subject on the support unit;

(c) moving the microwave power assembly translationally in an axial direction relative to the support unit;

(d) moving two or more microwave power supply devices mounted to said microwave power assembly alternately independently and jointly;

(e) operating the two or more microwave power supply devices to emit from each thereof a focused directional wave of microwave energy;

(f) operating a central processor in electronic communication with the two or more microwave power supply devices to control the positioning of the microwave power assembly and the two or more microwave power supply devices, and to control at least one of the power level, the wave focus, the wavelength, phase, wave direction, and waveform of each of the waves of microwave frequency energy emitted by the microwave power supply devices.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the subject suffers from tuberculosis or lung cancer.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the two or more microwave power supply devices generate square wave microwaves.

16. Apparatus to cool the brain of a patient, comprising

two sprayers, each directed toward a carotid artery of said patient, wherein each said sprayer emits a cooling mist on the skin surface proximate said artery, and said mist comprises a fluid in the gaseous state at or near room temperature.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said fluid is liquid Nitrogen.