Microwave applicator with discoupled input coupling and frequency tuning functions
First Claim
1. A microwave applicator for use in a microwave hyperthermia systems which includes a microwave generator for producing microwave electromagnetic energy and a means for determining the microwave power reflected from a treatment area, comprising:
- a hollow core metal waveguide having an open end and a closed end, whereby microwave electromagnetic energy is propagated in the direction from the closed end to the open end of said waveguide,input power coupling means for coupling said waveguide to the microwave generator of the hyperthermia system, said input power coupling means including means for tuning the coupling of said microwave electromagnetic energy from the microwave generator to said waveguide; and
frequency tuning means for tuning the frequency of said waveguide, said frequency tuning means being discoupled from said means for tuning the coupling of said microwave electromagnetic energy, whereby the reflected power from the applictor is minimized by separately tuning said frequency tuning means and said means for tuning the coupling of said microwave electromagnetic energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved microwave applicator includes a frequency tuner discoupled from an input power coupling tuner. The frequency tuner includes parallel elongated dielectric bars axially adjustable in a dielectric-filled waveguide. A central passageway space is provided between the dielectric bars for incorporation of an input coupling tuner in the form of a magnetic loop assembly. The magnetic loop assembly includes a metal loop connected to a metal block and means for axially adjusting the position of the loop assembly within the central passageway space between the elongated dielectric members. Frequency and input coupling tuning controls, as well as the microwave input connector, are located behind the closed end of the waveguide applicator to facilitate optimization of mutual positioning of multiple applicators.
121 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A microwave applicator for use in a microwave hyperthermia systems which includes a microwave generator for producing microwave electromagnetic energy and a means for determining the microwave power reflected from a treatment area, comprising:
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a hollow core metal waveguide having an open end and a closed end, whereby microwave electromagnetic energy is propagated in the direction from the closed end to the open end of said waveguide, input power coupling means for coupling said waveguide to the microwave generator of the hyperthermia system, said input power coupling means including means for tuning the coupling of said microwave electromagnetic energy from the microwave generator to said waveguide; and frequency tuning means for tuning the frequency of said waveguide, said frequency tuning means being discoupled from said means for tuning the coupling of said microwave electromagnetic energy, whereby the reflected power from the applictor is minimized by separately tuning said frequency tuning means and said means for tuning the coupling of said microwave electromagnetic energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A microwave applicator for use in a microwave hyperthermia system which includes a microwave generator and means for determining the level of reflected power in relation to the forward power, comprising:
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a dielectric-filled metal waveguide having an open end and a closed end, whereby microwave electromagnetic energy is propagated along the direction from the closed end of said waveguide to the open end; a metal loop positioned in said waveguide at a point of maximum field intensity for magnetically coupling said waveguide to the microwave generator of the hyperthermia system, an aperture in the closed end of said waveguide, a metal appendix extending outward from said appendix opposite said waveguide, means for removing a portion of said metal loop through said aperture for tuning the coupling of the waveguide to the microwave generator; dielectric material located within said waveguide and moveable through said aperture; and means for frequency tuning said waveguide by inserting or removing said dielectric material in said waveguide, said means for frequency tuning being independent of said means for removing, whereby input coupling adjustments provided by the positioning of said metal loop and frequency tuning adjustments provided by said means for frequency tuning may be made over a broad range of clinical load conditions. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A microwave applicator for use in a hyperthermia system which includes a microwave generator, comprising:
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a hollow core metal waveguide having an open end and a closed end, whereby microwave electromagnetic energy is propagated in the direction from the closed end to the open end; input power coupling means for coupling said waveguide to said microwave generator; an aperture formed in the center of the closed end of said waveguide, a metal appendix extending outside the waveguide from said aperture; and means for inserting dielectric tuning material inside the waveguide or removing said dielectric tuning material from said waveguide through said aperture into said appendix, whereby frequency tuning adjustments are made by axially adjusting the position of said dielectric tuning material along the central axis of said waveguide where there is maximum electric field for the fundamental mode. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A microwave applicator for use in a microwave hyperthermia system which includes a microwave generator coupled to the applicator through a coaxial cable, comprising:
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a hollow core metal waveguide having an open end and a closed end, whereby microwave electromagnetic energy is propagated in the direction from the closed end to the open end; an aperture formed in the center of the closed end of said waveguide; a metal appendix extending from said waveguide and encompassing said aperture; a metal loop adapted for coupling to the microwave generator, said loop being positioned along the central axis of the applicator at a position of maximum magnetic field intensity for coupling said waveguide to the microwave generator; means for retracting a portion of said metal loop into said metal appendix for tuning the power coupling between said microwave generator and said waveguide; and means for providing a bridge for current flowing across the metal appendix for operating the microwave applicator in the TE01 fundamental mode. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification