Probes, systems, and methods for examining tissue according to the dielectric properties thereof
First Claim
1. A probe for tissue-edge characterization, comprising:
- a first inner conductor, which comprises;
proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis;
a first sharp edge, located at the proximal end;
at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and
a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes;
wherein the probe is associated with a resecting tool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to probes, systems, and methods for tissue characterization by its dielectric properties, wherein a physical feature of the probe is designed to define and delimit a tissue volume, at a tissue edge, where characterization takes place. Thus, the probe for tissue-edge characterization comprises: a first inner conductor, which comprises: proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, inherently associated with the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, substantially at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a generally predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being generally defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A probe for tissue-edge characterization, comprising:
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a first inner conductor, which comprises; proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, located at the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes; wherein the probe is associated with a resecting tool.
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2. A probe for tissue-edge characterization, comprising:
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a first inner conductor, which comprises; proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, located at the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes; wherein the probe is shaped for optimal fit of anatomical constraints.
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3. A system for tissue-edge characterization, comprising:
a probe for tissue-edge characterization, which comprises; a first inner conductor, which comprises; proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, located at the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes; an external control and instrumentation system, for signal generation and signal analysis; and a transmission line, for connecting between the probe and the external control and instrumentation system, wherein the probe further includes an array of probes, operative as a single testing device for tissue-edge characterization. - View Dependent Claims (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 system for tissue-edge characterization, comprising:
a probe for tissue-edge characterization, which comprises; a first inner conductor, which comprises; proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, located at the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes; an external control and instrumentation system, for signal generation and signal analysis; and a transmission line, for connecting between the probe and the external control and instrumentation system, wherein the probe is associated with a biopsy device.
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27. A system for tissue-edge characterization, comprising:
a probe for tissue-edge characterization, which comprises; a first inner conductor, which comprises; proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, located at the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes; an external control and instrumentation system, for signal generation and signal analysis; and a transmission line, for connecting between the probe and the external control and instrumentation system, wherein the probe is shaped for optimal fit of anatomical constraints.
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28. A method for tissue-edge characterization, comprising:
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providing a probe for tissue-edge characterization, comprising; a first inner conductor, which comprises; proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, located at the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes; bringing the probe to form contact with the tissue edge; applying electric signals, associated with a wavelength λ
, to the tissue;generating the enhanced localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within the generally predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge; producing primary reflected electric signals from the tissue, substantially only from the predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge; and sensing the primary reflected electric signals, from the predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, wherein the probe further includes an array of probes, operative as a single testing device for tissue-edge characterization. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for tissue-edge characterization, comprising:
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providing a probe for tissue-edge characterization, comprising; a first inner conductor, which comprises; proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, located at the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes; bringing the probe to form contact with the tissue edge; applying electric signals, associated with a wavelength λ
, to the tissue;generating the enhanced localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within the generally predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge; producing primary reflected electric signals from the tissue, substantially only from the predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge; and sensing the primary reflected electric signals, from the predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, wherein the probe is associated with a biopsy device.
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34. A method for tissue-edge characterization, comprising:
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providing a probe for tissue-edge characterization, comprising; a first inner conductor, which comprises; proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, located at the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes; bringing the probe to form contact with the tissue edge; applying electric signals, associated with a wavelength λ
, to the tissue;generating the enhanced localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within the generally predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge; producing primary reflected electric signals from the tissue, substantially only from the predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge; and sensing the primary reflected electric signals, from the predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, wherein the probe is shaped for optimal fit of anatomical constraints.
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Specification