Treatment apparatus
First Claim
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1. A probe for applying electromagnetic radiation at microwave frequency to a body region accessible through an opening of the body, comprising:
- an input for receiving microwave signal input of a predetermined frequency;
a first waveguide for receiving and propagating said microwave frequency input, said waveguide having an external diameter that fits within the opening and being of a cross-sectional dimension which would not normally pass the microwaves at said frequency;
dielectric material within the first waveguide, the dielectric constant of which varies the cut-off frequency of the waveguide so that the waveguide can propagate desired modes of the microwaves; and
a portion of dielectric material protruding from the waveguide at the active end of the probe and forming an antenna which is shaped to control wave transmission away from the probe;
whereby the first waveguide is insertable through the opening to place the antenna in operative relation with a body region.
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Abstract
A probe (1) is designed to propagate and radiate microwave electromagnetic energy in a controlled fashion. The probe (1) includes at least one waveguide (2) of cross-section which would not normally pass microwaves at the operational frequency. The waveguide (2) therefore includes dielectric material (5), such as alumina, in the form of a rod an exposed portion of which forms an antenna. The probe is preferably for use in endometrial ablation and therefore the reduced dimension of the waveguide can be made compatible with the narrow neck of the uterus.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A probe for applying electromagnetic radiation at microwave frequency to a body region accessible through an opening of the body, comprising:
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an input for receiving microwave signal input of a predetermined frequency; a first waveguide for receiving and propagating said microwave frequency input, said waveguide having an external diameter that fits within the opening and being of a cross-sectional dimension which would not normally pass the microwaves at said frequency; dielectric material within the first waveguide, the dielectric constant of which varies the cut-off frequency of the waveguide so that the waveguide can propagate desired modes of the microwaves; and a portion of dielectric material protruding from the waveguide at the active end of the probe and forming an antenna which is shaped to control wave transmission away from the probe; whereby the first waveguide is insertable through the opening to place the antenna in operative relation with a body region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A probe for applying electromagnetic radiation at microwave frequency to a body region accessible through an opening of the body, comprising:
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means for receiving microwave signal input of a predetermined frequency; a first waveguide for receiving and propagating said microwave frequency input, said waveguide having an external diameter that fits within the opening and being of a cross-sectional dimension which would not normally pass the microwaves at said frequency; dielectric material within the first waveguide, the dielectric constant of which varies the cut-off frequency of the waveguide so that the waveguide can propagate desired modes of the microwaves; a portion of dielectric material at or adjacent to the active end of the probe forming an antenna which controls wave transmission away from the probe, whereby the first waveguide is insertable through the opening to place the antenna in operative relation with a body region; the means for receiving the microwave signal comprising a second waveguide, air filled with a larger cross-sectional dimension than the first waveguide and a tapered waveguide section interconnecting the first waveguide with the second waveguide so as to provide transmission of the microwaves with minimal reflection at the interface between the first and second waveguides; the dielectric material tapering within the tapered waveguide section to optimize transmissions of the microwaves with the minimal reflection; and a dielectric buffer inside the tapered waveguide section, the dielectric constant of which is greater than air and less than that of the dielectric taper.
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16. A probe for applying electromagnetic radiation at microwave frequency to a body region accessible through an opening of the body, comprising:
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means for receiving microwave signal input of a predetermined frequency; a first waveguide for receiving and propagating said microwave frequency input, said waveguide having an external diameter that fits within the opening and being of a cross-sectional dimension which would not normally pass the microwaves at said frequency; dielectric material within the first waveguide, the dielectric constant of which varies the cut-off frequency of the waveguide so that the waveguide can propagate desired modes of the microwaves; a portion of dielectric material at or adjacent to the active end of the probe forming an antenna which controls wave transmission away from the probe, whereby the first waveguide is insertable through the opening to place the antenna in operative relation with a body region; and temperature sensing means disposed between the first waveguide and a protective sheath, and comprising sensors disposed at different locations along the length of the probe to detect the temperatures at said different locations.
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Specification