Adaptive nulling hyperthermia array
First Claim
1. A hyperthermia applicator for inducing a temperature rise in a target, comprisinga plurality of electric field radiators;
- a source of electric field radiation coupled to each electric field radiator through a controllable transmit weighting network coupled to a respective electric field radiator, each weighting network controlling the phase and amplitude of electric field radiation coupled from the source to the respective electric field radiator in response to a respective feedback signal;
at least one electric field probe for detecting electric field radiation from the plurality of radiators; and
a controller means coupled to the electric field probes for receiving the detected electric field radiation and generating the respective feedback signals, and for adjusting the feedback signal in response to the detected electric field radiation so that the detected electric field radiation is minimized at the electric field probe.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hyperthermia array uses adaptive nulling with non-invasive auxiliary probes to reduce the electric field intensity at selected positions in the target body while maintaining a desired focus at a tumor thereby avoiding or reducing the occurrences of "hot spots" during ultrasonic or R.F. hyperthermia treatment. A hyperthermia applicator has an annular phased array of electric field radiators coupled to a source of electric radiation through a controllable transmit weighting network to control the phase and amplitude of the electric field radiation transmitted. The transmit weighting networks respond to feedback signals from a controller coupled to ele
The invention described herein was supported in whole or in part by Contract No. F19628-90-C-0002 from the United States Air Force.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A hyperthermia applicator for inducing a temperature rise in a target, comprising
a plurality of electric field radiators; -
a source of electric field radiation coupled to each electric field radiator through a controllable transmit weighting network coupled to a respective electric field radiator, each weighting network controlling the phase and amplitude of electric field radiation coupled from the source to the respective electric field radiator in response to a respective feedback signal; at least one electric field probe for detecting electric field radiation from the plurality of radiators; and a controller means coupled to the electric field probes for receiving the detected electric field radiation and generating the respective feedback signals, and for adjusting the feedback signal in response to the detected electric field radiation so that the detected electric field radiation is minimized at the electric field probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A hyperthermia applicator for inducing a temperature rise in a target, comprising
an annular phased array of electric field radiators for surrounding a target; -
a source of electric field radiation coupled to each electric field radiator through a controllable transmit weighting network coupled to a respective electric field radiator, each weighting network controlling the phase and amplitude of electric field radiation coupled from the source to the respective electric field radiator in response to a respective feedback signal; a plurality of electric field probe elements adapted to be disposed non-invasively along the perimeter of the target for detecting electric field radiation from the annular phased array of radiators; and a controller means coupled to the electric field probes for receiving the detected electric field radiation and generating the respective feedback signals, and for adjusting the feedback signal in response to the detected electric field radiation so that the detected electric field radiation is minimized at the electric field probe elements. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A method for inducing a temperature rise in a target, comprising the steps of:
-
surrounding a target with an annular phased array of electric field radiators; coupling a source of electric field radiation to each electric field radiator through a controllable transmit weighting network coupled to a respective electric field radiator; controlling the phase and amplitude of electric field radiation coupled from the source to the respective electric field radiator with each weighting network in response to a respective feedback signal; detecting electric field radiation from the annular phased array of radiators with a plurality of electric field probe elements disposed non-invasively along the perimeter of the target; and receiving the detected electric field radiation and generating the respective feedback signals for adjusting the controllable transmit weighting network in response to the detected electric field radiation so that the detected electric field radiation is minimized at the electric field probe elements.
-
Specification