Microwave endoscope detection and treatment system

Claim 1

A microwave transducer for applying energy to and receiving energy from living tissue, said transducer comprising: a microwave transmitter, a radiating element, a microwave radiometer means, a section of transmission line coupled to said radiating element, said radiating element comprising a dielectric impedance-matching means for substantially matching said radiating element to said tissue but substantially mis-matching said radiating element to air, said dielectric impedance matching means having a smooth end tip, means coupling the microwave transmitter to the end of the transmission line remote from said radiating element and for establishing at the radiating element a heating temperature over a predetermined heating period and greater than the normal human body temperature, means coupling the microwave radiometer means in common with the microwave transmitter to the remote end of the transmission line, said microwave radiometer means comprising means for sensing temperature at a resolution of fractions of a centigrade degree, in combination with an endoscopic guide means adapted for passage into an opening in a living body, said guide means including a passage for said transducer and said transmission line, and carrying observation means and light transmission means whereby said transducer may be placed in an observable-operative position within the body, said means for sensing temperature being operative to register a temperature differential only after a predetermined waiting period following said predetermined heating period so as to increase the temperature differential measurement, said section of transmission line including an inner conductor and an outer conductor, said radiating element having a launch means coupled from the transmission line inner conductor and extending beyond said transmission line outer conductor, said radiating element dielectric impedance-matching means having a smooth tip for holding said launch means.