Nonsymmetrical bulb applicator for hyperthermic treatment of the body
First Claim
1. Apparatus for the hyperthermic treatment of selected living tissue internal to a body with microwave energy comprising:
- a. source means for providing microwave signals having a predetermined amplitude and frequency; and
b. means for preferentially heating said selected tissue by applying said microwave signals to said selected tissue and living tissue adjacent to said selected tissue;
said preferential heating means for use within a passageway of said body and including a radiating probe coupled to said source means of microwave signals and a nonsymmetrical dielectric bulb, said bulb being configured and affixed to said probe to provide an electric field of said microwave signals from said probe that is more intense towards said selected tissue than towards said adjacent tissue when said bulb is properly positioned within said passageway of said body relative to said selected tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus using microwave energy for the therapeutic and hyperthermic treatment of an internal body organ such as the prostate gland. An irregularly shaped coaxial applicator having a narrow portion and a wide portion is inserted through the male anus into the rectum such that a substantially maximum intensity of the microwave energy irradiates the prostrate gland for preferential heating of the prostate gland and a substantially minimum intensity irradiates untreated tissue. Temperature sensing means are positioned on the periphery of the applicator to measure the tissue environment irradiated by the microwave energy. A controller, operating with the temperature sensing means, is provided to maintain the temperature of the tissue environment within a desired temperature range.
456 Citations
7 Claims
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1. Apparatus for the hyperthermic treatment of selected living tissue internal to a body with microwave energy comprising:
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a. source means for providing microwave signals having a predetermined amplitude and frequency; and b. means for preferentially heating said selected tissue by applying said microwave signals to said selected tissue and living tissue adjacent to said selected tissue; said preferential heating means for use within a passageway of said body and including a radiating probe coupled to said source means of microwave signals and a nonsymmetrical dielectric bulb, said bulb being configured and affixed to said probe to provide an electric field of said microwave signals from said probe that is more intense towards said selected tissue than towards said adjacent tissue when said bulb is properly positioned within said passageway of said body relative to said selected tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification