Device for asymmetrical thermal therapy with helical dipole microwave antenna
US5326343A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
An intraurethral, Foley-type catheter shaft contains a microwave antenna capable of generating a cylindrically symmetrical thermal pattern, within which temperatures are capable of exceeding 45.degree. C. The antenna, which is positioned within the shaft, is surrounded by means within the shaft for absorbing thermal energy conducted by the tissue and asymmetrically absorbing electromagnetic energy emitted by the antenna--a greater amount of electromagnetic energy being absorbed on one side of the shaft. This asymmetrical absorption alters the thermal pattern generated by the microwave antenna, making it cylindrically asymmetrical, which effectively focuses microwave thermal therapy toward undesirous benign tumorous tissue growth of a prostate anterior and lateral to the urethra, and away from healthy tissue posterior to the urethra.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.