US4190053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for hyperthermia treatment
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1977-06-20
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Granted: 1980-02-26
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Expires: 1997-06-20
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus and method provides accurate temperature measurement and control of living tissue during hyperthermia treatment. The temperature is measured by a radiometer tuned to the frequency bandwidth of an energy source providing energy for heating living tissue. The radiometer measures essentially the radiant energy and thereby the temperature of the same volume of living tissue that is heated by the source during the hyperthermia treatment.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred Sterzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for heating living tissue with microwave signals and detecting radiant energy from that tissue comprising: a. source means for providing irradiating microwave signals at a selected frequency and intensity; b. means for coupling said microwave signals to irradiate said living tissue to thereby increase the heat energy and thereby the temperature of said tissue; c. means to interrupt the coupling of said signals to said tissue; and d. detecting means coupled to said tissue to detect radiant energy related to said frequency from said tissue only when said microwave irradiation signals to said tissue are interrupted, said radiant energy being indicative of the temperature of said tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for heating living tissue with microwave signals and detecting radiant energy from that tissue comprising: a. source means for providing irradiating microwave signals at a selected frequency and intensity; b. means for coupling said microwave signals to irradiate said living tissue to thereby increase the heat energy and thereby the temperature of said tissue; c. means to interrupt the coupling of said signals to said tissue; and d. detecting means coupled to said tissue to detect radiant energy related to said frequency from said tissue only when said microwave irradiation signals to said tissue are interrupted, said radiant energy being indicative of the temperature of said tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detecting means comprises a radiometer tuned to said selected source means frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said radiometer includes means for generating in response to radiant energy from said tissue a signal representing a predetermined temperature indicative of the radiated heat energy from said tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 further including timing means responsive to said temperature signal for generating a first timing signal for interrupting said irradiating microwave signals when the temperature of said tissue is equal to said predetermined temperature, and for generating a second timing signal for coupling said microwave signal to irradiate said tissue when the temperature of said tissue is at a second predetermined temperature below said first predetermined temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detecting means comprises a radiometer tuned to a frequency different from said selected source means frequency to determine thereby a temperature gradient within said tissue.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for heating living tissue with microwave signals and detecting radiant energy from that tissue comprising the steps of: a. generating irradiating microwave signals at a selected frequency and intensity; b. coupling said microwave signals to irradiate said tissue to thereby increase the heat energy and thereby the temperature of said tissue; c. automatically interrupting the coupling of said signals to said tissue; and d. automatically detecting the radiant energy related to said frequency from said tissue when said microwave irradiation signals to said tissue are interrupted, said radiant energy being indicative of the temperature of said tissue.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for heating living tissue with microwave signals and detecting radiant energy from that tissue comprising the steps of: a. generating irradiating microwave signals at a selected frequency and intensity; b. coupling said microwave signals to irradiate said tissue to thereby increase the heat energy and thereby the temperature of said tissue; c. automatically interrupting the coupling of said signals to said tissue; and d. automatically detecting the radiant energy related to said frequency from said tissue when said microwave irradiation signals to said tissue are interrupted, said radiant energy being indicative of the temperature of said tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said detecting step includes tuning a radiometer to said selected source frequency.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said detecting step further includes generating in response to radiant energy from said tissue a signal representing a predetermined temperature indicative of the radiated heat energy from said tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method as set forth in claim 8 further including responding to said temperature signal by generating a first timing signal for interrupting said irradiating microwave signals when the temperature of said tissue is equal to said predetermined temperature, and generating a second timing signal for coupling said microwave signal to irradiate said tissue when the temperature of said tissue is at a second predetermined temperature below said first predetermined temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein detecting step includes tuning a radiometer to a frequency different from said selected frequency to determine thereby a temperature gradient within said tissue.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-25 | 1983-08-27 | 1984-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-25 | 1987-08-27 | 1988-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-25 | 1991-08-27 | 1992-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |