Microwave applicator and method of operation
First Claim
1. A microwave applicator for inducing hyperthermia in target tissue comprising:
- a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array for launching a plurality of electromagnetic waves having a polarization adapted for generating a plurality of electromagnetic surface waves; and
a control system including amplitude and phase adjusting elements coupled to the antenna array elements for converging the electromagnetic surface waves at the target tissue, thereby heating the target tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for non-invasive removal of target tissues is disclosed. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator antenna element array for introducing a plurality of cylindrical, quasi-transverse electromagnetic surface waves adjacent the target tissue. Through successive phase shifts, the electromagnetic surface waves are brought to converge on a focal point within the target tissue, thereby elevating the temperature of the tissue. In one application, the microwave applicator is used for reducing fatty tissue within a subcutaneous fatty layer by taking into account the differing dielectric constants of the adjacent skin and muscle layers. By launching a wave trapped between the skin layer and the muscle layers, a converging cylindrical wave is produced which includes a column of high density along a line extending from the skin-fat interface to the muscle-fat interface. The effect of the column of high density is to raise the temperature of adipose cells to a level at which fat cell necrosis occurs. In operation, a cooling bolus coupled to the applicator actively maintains skin surface temperature below a level at which cell damage or discomfort would occur.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A microwave applicator for inducing hyperthermia in target tissue comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array for launching a plurality of electromagnetic waves having a polarization adapted for generating a plurality of electromagnetic surface waves; and a control system including amplitude and phase adjusting elements coupled to the antenna array elements for converging the electromagnetic surface waves at the target tissue, thereby heating the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A microwave applicator for inducing hyperthermia in target tissue comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array for generating a plurality of electromagnetic surface waves; and a control system including amplitude and phase adjusting elements coupled to the antenna array elements for converging the electromagnetic surface waves at the target tissue, thereby heating the target tissue; wherein each antenna element comprises a dual-feed patch antenna for resonating the antenna element in a substantially horizontal mode.
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11. A method for non-invasively removing target tissue disposed at least partially within an adipose layer, the adipose layer located between a skin layer and a muscle layer, the method comprising the steps of:
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introducing a plurality of electromagnetic surface waves on a plane dissecting the target tissue, the electromagnetic surface waves comprising an electric field component polarized substantially perpendicular to an interface between the skin layer and the adipose layer; and converging the electromagnetic surface waves on the target tissue, thereby heating the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A microwave applicator comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array, each element comprising at least two feeds coupled to a dual polarization antenna, the antenna adapted for supporting at least two linearly independent polarization states; and a control system including phase and amplitude elements coupled to the feeds for enabling independent adjustment of each of the polarization states. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A microwave applicator for inducing hyperthermia in anatomically normal target tissue comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array for generating a plurality of electromagnetic waves; a bolus structure adjacent the antenna element array; and a control system including amplitude and phase adjusting elements for coupling the waves to surface waves which depend upon geometrical and electromagnetic properties of the anatomically normal target tissue and the bolus structure.
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22. A microwave applicator for inducing hyperthermia in target tissue comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array for generating a plurality of electromagnetic waves, at least one of the antenna elements comprising a dual-feed patch antenna wherein each feed produces a substantially independent polarization state; and a control system including amplitude and phase adjusting elements coupled to the antenna array elements for converging the electromagnetic surface waves at the target tissue, thereby heating the target tissue.
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23. A method for non-invasively removing target tissue disposed at least partially within an adipose layer, the adipose layer located between a skin layer and a muscle layer, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating a cylindrical, converging, quasi-transverse electromagnetic surface wave within the adipose layer as a function of differing dielectric and conductivity characteristics of the skin layer and the muscle layer, wherein the surface wave is produced by launching a wave trapped between the skin layer and the muscle layer from different directions surrounding an intended focus.
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Specification