Apparatus for destroying cells in tumors and the like

• US 4,800,899 A
• Filed: 10/29/1986
• Issued: 01/31/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary J. Williams
• Original Assignee: Microthermia Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Elliott, Martin K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/924,656
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 128/783, 128/784, 128/804, 128/665, 128/642, 128/401
• US Class Current: 607/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body

Abstract

Apparatus and a method for applying electromagnetic energy to the interior of a tumor, such as a breast tumor or brain tumor within the body, to heat and thereby destroy cells in the tumor while monitoring the temperature of the body tissues at the outer periphery of tumor. The energy is radiated from an antenna in the form similar to a hypodermic needle which is inserted into the body and into the tumor, the energy being supplied by a microwave generator which can be controlled as to time of operation and power output to the antenna. A temperature sensor or sensors are also inserted in the body and are located at the outer periphery of the tumor. The sensors are coupled with a temperature detector and a control unit which controls the operation of the microwave generator to actuate and deactuate it in accordance with the temperature at the outer periphery of the tumor. The video system is used to assist in placing the antenna and the temperature sensor at the proper location with reference to the tumor within the body. The present invention is especially suitable for use in destroying cancerous tumors of the breast, brain, skin or other body locations as well as, in conjunction with other modalities, e.g., radiation therapy, chemotherapy and the like, as they increase in tissue temperature enhances the efficacy of the therapy.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly for applying electromagnetic energy to a body part on or within a living body comprising:

an antenna having a coaxial cable member adapted to be coupled with a source of electromagnetic power and to be inserted into the tissue of a body part on or within a living body, said member including a central, electrical conductive element and an outer, electrically non-conductive element surrounding the central element;

a tube coupled with said member in surrounding, spaced relationship thereto, said tube having a pair of end plugs for forming with the tube a closed space surrounding the member and extending longitudinally thereof, one of the plugs having a pointed outer end; and

a volume of fluid in said space, the impedance of the fluid being sufficient to match the impedance of the tissue with the impedance of the member.

2. An antenna as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid is selected from the group including water, alcohol and a mixture of water and salt.

3. An antenna as set forth in claim 1, wherein each end plug includes an electrically non-conductive plug.