US6163726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selective ablation of glandular tissue
Assignee: General Hospital Corp
•
Filing: 1998-09-21
•
Granted: 2000-12-19
•
Expires: 2018-09-21
Abstract
Abstract The invention features a method for selectively ablating tumor-forming, glandular tissue in a breast by exposing the breast to microwave radiation that ablates glandular tissue while avoiding damage to the fatty tissues of the breast.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald L. Wolf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61N5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for preventing the development of a breast tumor in an individual, the method comprising: (a) identifying an individual at risk for developing a breast tumor; and (b) irradiating with microwave radiation a region of the breast at risk for developing the tumor at a wavelength and for a time sufficient to heat glandular tissue but not fatty tissue to a temperature of at least about 43° C., thereby preventing the development of a breast tumor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for preventing the development of a breast tumor in an individual, the method comprising: (a) identifying an individual at risk for developing a breast tumor; and (b) irradiating with microwave radiation a region of the breast at risk for developing the tumor at a wavelength and for a time sufficient to heat glandular tissue but not fatty tissue to a temperature of at least about 43° C., thereby preventing the development of a breast tumor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said microwave radiation forms a focused field in said tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said individual lacks a detectable tumor in said tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said microwave radiation is between 100 and 1000 Mhz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said microwave radiation is between 500 and 1000 Mhz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said microwave radiation is between 902 and 928 Mhz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said microwave radiation is 915 MHz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature is about 46° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of skin of the breast overlying the irradiated region does not change following microwave irradiation.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for selectively ablating glandular breast tissue, the method comprising irradiating with microwave radiation a region of the breast containing both glandular and fatty tissues at a wavelength and for a time sufficient to heat glandular tissue but not fatty tissue to a temperature of at least about 43° C., thereby selectively ablating glandular tissue.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for selectively ablating glandular breast tissue, the method comprising irradiating with microwave radiation a region of the breast containing both glandular and fatty tissues at a wavelength and for a time sufficient to heat glandular tissue but not fatty tissue to a temperature of at least about 43° C., thereby selectively ablating glandular tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said glandular tissue includes tumorous tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said glandular tissue lacks any detectable cancerous breast tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said microwave radiation forms a focused field in said tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said individual lacks a detectable tumor in said tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said microwave radiation is between 100 and 1000 Mhz.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said microwave radiation is between 500 and 1000 Mhz.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said microwave radiation is between 902 and 928 Mhz.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said microwave radiation is 915 MHz.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the temperature is heated to about 46° C.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the temperature is heated to about 46° C.
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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) | 2003-12-19 | 2004-06-19 | 2004-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-19 | 2008-06-19 | 2008-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-19 | 2012-06-19 | 2012-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |