Radiation applicator for microwave medical treatment

• US 9,770,295 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2015
• Issued: 09/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Inventors: Cronin, Nigel
• Primary Examiner(s): ROANE, AARON F
• Application Number:
  US14/857,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20160000505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 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: A61B 2018/183 characterised by the type of antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1869 with an instrument interstitially inserted into the body, e.g. needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1892 Details of electrical isolations of the antenna

Abstract

A radiation applicator with a dielectric body (2) surrounding the antenna. The dielectric body (2) is comprised of three sections (3, 4 and 5) with different dielectric constants to provide broad-band matching of the applicator to surrounding material. Washers (10) and (11) are mounted on the antenna to act as reflectors.

Claims

1. A method of treating tissue using microwave, comprising:

gaining access to the body using a radiation applicator, the applicator comprising;

a sharp end to pierce through tissue, the applicator comprising an outer conductor having a proximal end and a distal end;

an inner conductor having a proximal end and a distal end;

a first dielectric body having a proximal end and a distal end, the first dielectric body is comprised of a first dielectric material having a first dielectric constant, the proximal end of the first dielectric body extends coaxially within the outer conductor;

a second dielectric body having a proximal end and a distal end, the second dielectric body is comprised of a second dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, the second dielectric body has a sharp end capable of piecing through tissue, the second dielectric body having a cavity;

a tuning reflector having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal most end and the proximal most end of the tuning reflector are both inside the cavity of the second dielectric body, the tuning reflector is comprised of a third dielectric material having a third dielectric constant;

the first dielectric constant, the second dielectric constant, and the third dielectric constant are different; and

applying microwave energy to the affected tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises the inner conductor extending a distance past the distal end of the outer conductor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises a tuning reflector directly connected to the distal end of the inner conductor.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the applicator further comprises the tuning reflector being soldered to the inner conductor.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transferring energy to the second dielectric body at a frequency of up to 10 GHz.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of inserting the radiation applicator into a human.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of piercing the tissue with a tapered end the proximal end of the first dielectric body.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises a rigid outer conductor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises a flexible outer conductor.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the applicator further comprises the proximal end of the first dielectric body coaxially extending the distal most end of the outer conductor.