X-ray needle providing heating with microwave energy

• US 5,944,749 A
• Filed: 11/25/1997
• Issued: 08/31/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Titan (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Titan (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fenn, Alan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US08/978,319
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 607/88-89, 607/96-102, 607/104-105, 606/27, 606/28, 606/33, 606/13-16
• US Class Current: 607/88
• 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 5/045 specially adapted for treatment inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1001 using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy

Abstract

Electrons moving in a first direction are concentrated (e.g. magnetically) in a beam within a first tube. A converter converts the electrons to x-rays for movement to a particular position (e.g. tumor) in a patient. A fluid (e.g. water) flowing past the converter through a second tube co-axial with the first tube cools the converter. Microwave energy passes in the first direction through a third tube co-axial with the first tube. The third tube is open at the end near the converter so that the microwave energy will pass to the particular position in the patient. A second fluid (e.g. air) passing through a fourth tube coaxial with the first tube cools the tissue in direct contact with the x-ray needle. The second, third and fourth tubes may respectively have diameters of approximately 2, 3 and 4 millimeters. The microwave energy may pass into the third tube from a fifth tube transverse to the third tube. The microwave energy impedance may be approximately 50 Ω at the fifth tube input and approximately 5 Ω at the third tube input. The fifth tube is constructed to match the 50 Ω and 5 Ω impedances. A first portion of the microwave energy introduced to the third tube flows in the first direction through the third tube coaxially with the electron beam. A second portion of the microwave energy flows in a direction opposite to the first direction, is reflected by a short circuit and then flows in the first direction in phase with the first energy portion.

Claims

1. In combination for treating a patient,

first means disposed in an axial direction and defining a first energy source for generating heat and directing the generated heat in the axial direction,

second means disposed in the axial direction in co-axial relationship with the first source of energy and defining a second energy source different from the first energy source for generating heat, and

the first and second means being constructed to direct to the patient the heat generated by the first and second means at one end of the first and second means,

the second means being disposed on the first means in co-axial relationship with the first means and

the first means being constructed at one end of the first means to define a tip of a needle and

the second means being open at the one end to introduce to the patient the heat generated by the second means.

2. In combination for treating a patient,

first means disposed in an axial direction and defining a first energy source for generating heat and directing the generated heat in the axial direction,

second means disposed in the axial direction in co-axial relationship with the first source of energy and defining a second energy source different from the first energy source for generating heat,

the first and second means being constructed to direct to the patient the heat generated by the first and second means at one end of the first and second means,

third means disposed in co-axial relationship with the first and second means for cooling the first means, and

fourth means disposed in co-axial relationship with the first and second means for cooling the second means.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein

the third means provides water cooling of the first means, and

the fourth means provides air cooling of the second means.

3. In combination for treating a patient,

first means disposed in an axial direction and defining a first energy source for generating heat and directing the generated heat in the axial direction,

second means disposed in the axial direction in co-axial relationship with the first source of energy and defining a second energy source different from the first energy source for generating heat, and

the first and second means being constructed to direct to the patient the heat generated by the first and second means at one end of the first and second means,

the second means being disposed on the first means in co-axial relationship with the first means and

the first means being constructed at one end of the first means to define a tip of a needle and

the second means being open at the one end,

third means disposed between the first and second means in co-axial relationship with the first and second means for cooling the first means, and

fourth means disposed on the second means in co-axial relationship with the first and second means for cooling the second means.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein

the third means provides a water cooling of the first means and

the fourth means provides an air cooling of the second means.

6. In combination for treating a patient,

first means disposed in an axial direction and defining a first energy source for generating heat and directing the generated heat in the axial direction

second means disposed in the axial direction in co-axial relationship with the first source of energy and defining a second energy source different from the first energy source for generating heat, and

the first and second means being constructed to direct to the patient the heat generated by the first and second means at one end of the first and second means,

the second means being disposed on the first means in co-axial relationship with the first means and

the first means being constructed at one end of the first means to define a tip of a needle and

the second means being open at the one end, wherein

the first means constitutes a source of a selective one of laser, x-ray and optical energy and

the second means constitutes a source of microwave energy.