US4471787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for applying a high frequency electromagnetic field to living tissue to promote healing thereof
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-09-24
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Granted: 1984-09-18
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Expires: 2002-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A portable therapy device for attachment to a patient to promote tissue healing by exposure to an r.f. field, comprises an oscillator (5) which energizes an antenna having a transmitting element (1) the natural directive pattern of which is modified by a reflector (8) and a parasitic element (10) such that a major part of the r.f. field emitted by the antenna passes to the patient. In another embodiment the antenna is configured to produce a spatially substantially uniform field strength over the area of the patient being treated. The device subjects the tissue to r.f. power levels which produce no significant tissue heating.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. C. Bentall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/40; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A device for applying a high frequency electromagnetic field to tissue of a patient to promote healing, comprising: an antenna for directing the field to the patient; an oscillator circuit arranged to energize the antenna to propagate electromagnetic energy for promoting healing of the tissue but without producing any significant heating thereof; and, means for constraining the electromagnetic energy propagated by the antenna to a directive pattern wherein a substantially greater proportion of said energy is propagated in forward direction for treating the tissue than in an opposite rearward direction so as to minimize emission of said energy outwardly of the patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A device for applying a high frequency electromagnetic field to tissue of a patient to promote healing, comprising: an antenna for directing the field to the patient; an oscillator circuit arranged to energize the antenna to propagate electromagnetic energy for promoting healing of the tissue but without producing any significant heating thereof; and, means for constraining the electromagnetic energy propagated by the antenna to a directive pattern wherein a substantially greater proportion of said energy is propagated in forward direction for treating the tissue than in an opposite rearward direction so as to minimize emission of said energy outwardly of the patient.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for applying a radio frequency electromagnetic field to tissue of the patient to promote healing thereof, comprising; a flexible antenna for conforming to the shape of the patient; a battery; an electrical oscillator means for being driven by the battery and arranged to energize the antenna to propagate radio frequency electromagnetic energy for promoting healing of the tissue but without producing any significant heating thereof; and, means for constraining the electromagnetic energy propagated by the antenna to a directive pattern wherein a substantially greater proportion of said energy is propagated in a forward direction for treating the tissue than in an opposite rearward direction so as to minimize emission of said energy outwardly of the patient.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for applying a radio frequency electromagnetic field to tissue of the patient to promote healing thereof, comprising; a flexible antenna for conforming to the shape of the patient; a battery; an electrical oscillator means for being driven by the battery and arranged to energize the antenna to propagate radio frequency electromagnetic energy for promoting healing of the tissue but without producing any significant heating thereof; and, means for constraining the electromagnetic energy propagated by the antenna to a directive pattern wherein a substantially greater proportion of said energy is propagated in a forward direction for treating the tissue than in an opposite rearward direction so as to minimize emission of said energy outwardly of the patient.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
46 words
A device according to claims 1 and 2, wherein said antenna comprises a transmitting element arranged to be energised by the oscillator circuit to propagate said energy; and, reflector means for reflecting into said forward direction energy transmitted from said transmitting element in said rearward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said reflector means is spaced from the transmitting element by a predetermined distance necessary for the energy reflected by the reflector means to be in phase with, and additive to the energy transmitted by the transmitting element in said forward direction.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
24 words
A device according to claims 1 or 2, further comprising a layer of radiation absorbing material for absorbing energy transmitted in said rearward direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said antenna includes a parasitic element for modifying the natural directive pattern of transmission of said energy from said transmitting element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein the transmitting element comprises an electrical conductor arrangement formed as a loop defining an open space therein, permitting passage of fluids to and from a wound in the tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 7, further comprising a wound dressing disposed in said space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said transmitting element comprises a loop of coaxial cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said antenna encompasses a given area for treating a corresponding area of tissue, and said antenna is arranged to produce said field with spatially uniform field strength over at least a major portion of said given area.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
98 words
A device for applying a high frequency electromagnetic field to tissue of the patient to promote healing, comprising; an antenna for overlying tissue of the patient, said antenna encompassing a given area for treating a corresponding tissue area of the patient; and, an electrical oscillator means arranged to energize the antenna to propagate electromagnetic energy for promoting healing of the tissue without producing any significant tissue heating thereof, said antenna having a plurality of linear conducting portions arranged to produce said field with a spatially uniform field strength over at least a major portion of said given area.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
98 words
A device for applying a high frequency electromagnetic field to tissue of the patient to promote healing, comprising; an antenna for overlying tissue of the patient, said antenna encompassing a given area for treating a corresponding tissue area of the patient; and, an electrical oscillator means arranged to energize the antenna to propagate electromagnetic energy for promoting healing of the tissue without producing any significant tissue heating thereof, said antenna having a plurality of linear conducting portions arranged to produce said field with a spatially uniform field strength over at least a major portion of said given area.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for applying a radio frequency electromagnetic field to tissue of the patient to promote healing thereof, comprising; a flexible antenna for conforming to the shape of the patient, said antenna encompassing a given area for treating a corresponding (tissue area of the patient; a battery; and, an electrical oscillator circuit arranged to energize the antenna to propagate electromagnetic energy for promoting healing of the tissue but without producing any significant tissue heating, said antenna having a plurality of linear conducting portions arranged to produce said field with a spatially uniform field strength over at least a major portion of said given area.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for applying a radio frequency electromagnetic field to tissue of the patient to promote healing thereof, comprising; a flexible antenna for conforming to the shape of the patient, said antenna encompassing a given area for treating a corresponding (tissue area of the patient; a battery; and, an electrical oscillator circuit arranged to energize the antenna to propagate electromagnetic energy for promoting healing of the tissue but without producing any significant tissue heating, said antenna having a plurality of linear conducting portions arranged to produce said field with a spatially uniform field strength over at least a major portion of said given area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 12 wherein said antenna comprises a flexible insulating substrate for overlying a patient's tissue and, a metalized pattern formed on the substrate.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
37 words
A device according to claims 2 or 11, wherein said antenna presents an inductance to the radio frequency energy produced by the oscillator means, and said inductance comprises a frequency determining circuit component of said oscillator means.
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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) | 1987-09-18 | 1988-03-19 | 1988-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-18 | 1992-03-19 | 1992-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-18 | 1996-03-19 | 1996-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |