US4841988A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave hyperthermia probe
Assignee: LABTHERMICS TECHNOLOGIES Inc
•
Filing: 1987-10-15
•
Granted: 1989-06-27
•
Expires: 2007-10-15
Abstract
Abstract Heating pattern uniformity is provided in a coaxial microwave hyperthermia probe by varying the open area in the outer conductor in an axial direction such that there is a maximum open area in the axial center portion. The variations may be provided by winding an outer conductor in a helical pattern with a variable pitch or by cutting openings of axially varying size in a solid outer conductor. The invention is applicable to both flexible and rigid probes.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Fetter
- 👤 Peter D. Gadsby
- 👤 Jeffery L. Kabachinski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
In a coaxial microwave probe for interstitial hyperthermia treatment having a conductive inner member extending axially along the length of the probe, a dielectric material surrounding the inner member along substantially its full length, and an outer conductive member surrounding the dielectric material, said outer conductive member having a generally open area defining an effective heating length of the probe to provide a desired heating pattern, the improvement comprising said outer conductive member disposed in a helical pattern along the effective length, said helical pattern defining a variable spaced pitch to provide a maximum open area in the center portion of the effective length and smaller open areas axially in both directions therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a coaxial microwave probe for interstitial hyperthermia treatment having a conductive inner member extending axially along the length of the probe, a dielectric material surrounding the inner member along substantially its full length, and an outer conductive member surrounding the dielectric material, said outer conductive member having a generally open area defining an effective heating length of the probe to provide a desired heating pattern, the improvement comprising said outer conductive member disposed in a helical pattern along the effective length, said helical pattern defining a variable spaced pitch to provide a maximum open area in the center portion of the effective length and smaller open areas axially in both directions therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer conductor comprises a wire spiral winding having a variable spaced pitch along the effective.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein the probe has a substantially uniform cylindrical outer diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein the pitch of the helical pattern varies within a range of about 25% to 85% of the outer diameter of the probe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein the helical pattern comprises a large pitch center portion and relatively smaller pitch portions adjacent thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the helical pattern is symmetrical along the probe axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the center portion comprises a helical pattern having a variable spaced pitch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 including a probe tip and wherein the inner member is conductively attached to the outer member at the probe tip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
In coaxial microwave probe for interstitial hyperthermia treatment having a conductive inner member extending axially along the length of the probe, a dielectric material surrounding the inner member along substantially its full length, and an outer conductive member surrounding the dielectric material, said outer conductive member having a generally open area defining an effective heating length of the probe to provide a desired heating pattern, the improvement wherein said outer conductive member comprises a narrow conductor disposed in a helical pattern along the effective length of the probe with the pitch of said helical pattern varying along the effective length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
In coaxial microwave probe for interstitial hyperthermia treatment having a conductive inner member extending axially along the length of the probe, a dielectric material surrounding the inner member along substantially its full length, and an outer conductive member surrounding the dielectric material, said outer conductive member having a generally open area defining an effective heating length of the probe to provide a desired heating pattern, the improvement wherein said outer conductive member comprises a narrow conductor disposed in a helical pattern along the effective length of the probe with the pitch of said helical pattern varying along the effective length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein the helical pattern comprises at least two axially adjacent portions each having a different pitch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein the outer conductor member comprises a continuously wound wire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein the probe is laterally flexible.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein the helical pattern comprises at least three portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 13 wherein two of said portions have a substantially equal pitch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as set forth in claim 14 wherein the third portion is disposed between said two equal pitch portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a coaxial microwave probe for interstitial hyperthermia treatment having a conductive inner member extending axially along the length of the probe, a dielectric material surrounding the inner member along substantially its full length, and an outer conductive member surrounding the dielectric material, said outer conductive member having a generally open area defining an effective heating length of the probe to provide a desired heating pattern, the improvement comprising said outer conductive member formed from a wire wound in helical pattern of axially varying pitch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a coaxial microwave probe for interstitial hyperthermia treatment having a conductive inner member extending axially along the length of the probe, a dielectric material surrounding the inner member along substantially its full length, and an outer conductive member surrounding the dielectric material, said outer conductive member having a generally open area defining an effective heating length of the probe to provide a desired heating pattern, the improvement comprising said outer conductive member formed from a wire wound in helical pattern of axially varying pitch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said helical pattern comprises axially adjacent portions of different pitch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR718993A
Cited
US3230957A
Cited
GB1188490A
Cited
US3783221A
Cited
US4154246A
Cited
US4316474A
Cited
US4583556A
Cited
SU1266548A1
Cited
US4658836A
Cited
US4712559A
Cited
US4700716A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-06-26 | 1992-12-26 | 1993-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-26 | 1996-12-26 | 1997-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-26 | 2000-12-26 | 2001-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |