Microwave garment for heating and/or monitoring tissue
First Claim
1. A flexible conformal microwave applicator, the applicator comprising:
- a flexible, dielectric containing compartment having a variable contour, tissue-engaging surface and an opposite, non-tissue-engaging surface;
an antenna array adjacent to the non-tissue-engaging surface and comprising;
at least one flexible printed circuit board comprising a front metal surface, a dielectric substrate, a back metal surface, and connection means for connecting the antenna array to at least one external microwave device;
at least one dual concentric conductor (DCC) radiating aperture on the front surface; and
at least one microstrip feedline in communication with the dual concentric conductor aperture and the connection means; and
flexible attachment material for placement over the antenna array and dielectric compartment to allow the microwave applicator to be attached to a subject.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible microwave applicator and method of use thereof. The applicator includes a flexible, dielectric-containing compartment (e.g. temperature regulated water or oil) having a variable contour, tissue-engaging surface and an opposite non-tissue-engaging surface and an antenna array adjacent to a non-tissue-engaging surface. The antenna array includes at least one flexible printed circuit board having a front metal surface, a dielectric substrate, a back metal surface, a connection structure for connecting the antenna array to at least one external microwave device, at least one dual concentric conductor aperture on the front surface, and at least one microstrip feedline in communication with the dual concentric conductor aperture and the connection structure. The microwave applicator also includes flexible attachment material for placement over the antenna array and dielectric compartment to allow the microwave applicator to be attached to a subject like a garment which closely conforms to the anatomy portion to be heated. The flexible attachment material may be configured such that the microwave applicator is configured as an appropriately-shaped type of garment, for example, a vest, jacket, cap, hood, blanket, custom shaped conformal wrap, sleeve, or as a pair of shorts.
201 Citations
60 Claims
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1. A flexible conformal microwave applicator, the applicator comprising:
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a flexible, dielectric containing compartment having a variable contour, tissue-engaging surface and an opposite, non-tissue-engaging surface;
an antenna array adjacent to the non-tissue-engaging surface and comprising;
at least one flexible printed circuit board comprising a front metal surface, a dielectric substrate, a back metal surface, and connection means for connecting the antenna array to at least one external microwave device;
at least one dual concentric conductor (DCC) radiating aperture on the front surface; and
at least one microstrip feedline in communication with the dual concentric conductor aperture and the connection means; and
flexible attachment material for placement over the antenna array and dielectric compartment to allow the microwave applicator to be attached to a subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A flexible conformal microwave applicator comprising:
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a flexible bolus having a tissue-engaging surface and an opposite non-tissue-engaging surface;
an antenna array adjacent to the non-tissue-engaging surface and comprising;
at least one flexible printed circuit board comprising a front metal surface, a dielectric substrate, a back metal surface, and connection means for connecting the antenna array to a plurality of external microwave devices;
a plurality of dual concentric conductor (DCC) apertures on the front surface; and
a plurality of microstrip feedlines in communication with the dual concentric conductor apertures and the connection means; and
flexible attachment material for placement over the antenna array and bolus to allow the microwave applicator to be securely attached to a subject. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method of heating and monitoring superficial tissue over contoured anatomy, the method comprising:
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providing a microwave applicator comprising;
a flexible, dielectric-containing compartment having a tissue-engaging surface and an opposite non-tissue-engaging surface;
an antenna array adjacent to the non-tissue-engaging surface and comprising;
at least one flexible printed circuit board comprising a front metal surface, a dielectric substrate, a back metal surface, and connection means for connecting the antenna array to at least one external microwave device;
at least one dual concentric conductor aperture on the front surface; and
at least one microstrip feedline in communication with the dual concentric conductor aperture and the connection means; and
flexible attachment material for placement over the antenna array and dielectric compartment to allow the microwave applicator to be securely attached to a subject;
placing the microwave applicator over the target tissue on a subject;
conforming the microwave applicator to fit the contour of the patient anatomy to be treated; and
supplying power from the power source to the at least one connection means and thereby to the at least one microstrip feedline and the at least one dual concentric conductor radiating aperture; and
creating a radiating microwave field within the contoured anatomy of the patient with the at least one dual concentric conductor aperture to thereby heat superficial tissue located directly under the corresponding radiating aperture.- View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
non-invasive monitoring of physiologic tissue properties. -
48. The method of claim 46 wherein the amount of power supplied is in a range of 0.1-10,000 Watts per aperture.
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49. The method of claim 46 wherein the amount of power supplied is continuous wave in a range of 5-50 Watts per aperture.
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50. The method of claim 46 wherein the amount of power supplied is continuous wave less than 35 Watts per aperture.
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51. The method of claim 46 wherein the power is applied at a frequency in a range of 300-5000 MHz.
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52. The method of claim 51 wherein the power is continuous wave applied at a frequency in a range of 400-2500 MHz.
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53. The method of claim 52 wherein the power is continuous wave applied at a frequency of 915 MHz.
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54. The method of claim 46 further comprising simultaneous heating and non-invasive monitoring of physiologic tissue properties..
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55. The method of claim 54 wherein the monitoring of the temperature or other physiologic property is accomplished by radiometric imaging.
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56. The method of claim 46 wherein the microwave applicator comprises a plurality of dual concentric conductor apertures and a plurality of microstrip feedlines.
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57. The method of claim 46 wherein the microwave applicator comprises a plurality of dual concentric conductor apertures, a plurality of complimentary microstrip antenna structures, and a plurality of microstrip feedlines connected to the connection means.
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58. The method of claim 57 wherein the amount of power supplied is less than 50 Watts per aperture.
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59. The method of claim 57 further comprising monitoring changes in physiologic tissue properties of the superficial tissue.
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60. The method of claim 59 wherein the monitoring of physiologic tissue properties is accomplished by radiometric imaging.
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Specification