US4891239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for ultrafast microwave tissue fixation
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1989-04-13
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Granted: 1990-01-02
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Expires: 2009-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for ultrafast microwave tissue fixation using a single mode resonant waveguide constructed with an aperture near one end. The waveguide is also constructed to provide a uniform E field and maximum power field below the aperture. Tissue is placed into a vial filled with fixation solution. The vial and tissue are then inserted through the aperture into the waveguide. Microwave energy is then applied to the tissue which becomes fixated within a short period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W. Dudley
- 👤 Wesley W. Teich
- 👤 John S. Sklenak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/44; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/12; B01J19/122; B01J19/126; H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for fixating tissue comprising: means or holding said tissue submerged in a fixating solution; a waveguide having a cavity formed therein with a first section, a second section, and a transition section formed therebetween, said waveguide having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end; means for transmitting radio frequency energy through said opening and into said cavity; an aperture disposed within said waveguide for inserting said tissue holding means within said second section, said aperture being positioned on said waveguide to cause a substantially uniform E field of said radio frequency energy through said tissue in said tissue holding means when inserted; and an inductive post disposed within said second section adjacent said aperture, said post being positioned between said aperture and said wall.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for fixating tissue comprising: means or holding said tissue submerged in a fixating solution; a waveguide having a cavity formed therein with a first section, a second section, and a transition section formed therebetween, said waveguide having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end; means for transmitting radio frequency energy through said opening and into said cavity; an aperture disposed within said waveguide for inserting said tissue holding means within said second section, said aperture being positioned on said waveguide to cause a substantially uniform E field of said radio frequency energy through said tissue in said tissue holding means when inserted; and an inductive post disposed within said second section adjacent said aperture, said post being positioned between said aperture and said wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus for fixating tissue as recited in claim 1 further comprising: means for adjusting the length that said tissue holding means protrudes into said second so as to finely adjust the radio frequency energy reflection within said waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus for fixating tissue as recited in claim 1 further comprising: means for choking microwave energy escaping through said aperture from said waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus for fixating tissue as recited in claim 1 further comprising: means for preventing moisture or any ionized gas from collecting on said tissue holding means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus for fixating tissue as recited in claim 1 further comprising: test means for measuring the amount of microwave energy reflected in said waveguide; and circulator means, disposed between said microwave generating means and said waveguide, for distributing microwave energy from said microwave generating means into said cavity and distributing reflected energy from said cavity to said test means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus for fixating tissue as recited in claim 1 wherein said tissue holding means includes a vial.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus for fixating tissue as recited in claim 1 wherein said waveguide contains a plurality of inductive posts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus for fixating tissue as recited in claim 6 wherein said vial contains means, disposed adjacent the inside perimeter of said vial, for preventing said tissue from touching the sides of said vial.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said preventing means is disposed adjacent the bottom of said vial.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus for fixating tissue as recited in claim 8 wherein said foam is 0.01 to 0.3 inches thick.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said waveguide is single mode resonant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said second section forms a reduced height waveguide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said waveguide has a width of 2.5-4.5 inches and a height of 1.25-2.3 inches.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
113 words
The method of fixating tissue in a waveguide having an aperture and a cavity with a first and second section formed therein, said cavity having a transitional section formed between said first and second section, said cavity having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end, comprising the steps of: placing the tissue to be fixated into a fixation solution in a vial; placing the vial into said aperture; providing radio frequency energy into said waveguide such that substantially uniform E field forms through said vial; and providing a conductive post within said cavity second section adjacent said aperture, said post being positioned between said aperture and said wall.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
113 words
The method of fixating tissue in a waveguide having an aperture and a cavity with a first and second section formed therein, said cavity having a transitional section formed between said first and second section, said cavity having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end, comprising the steps of: placing the tissue to be fixated into a fixation solution in a vial; placing the vial into said aperture; providing radio frequency energy into said waveguide such that substantially uniform E field forms through said vial; and providing a conductive post within said cavity second section adjacent said aperture, said post being positioned between said aperture and said wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of fixating tissue as recited in claim 14 further comprising the step of adjusting the length that said vial protrudes into said aperture so as to finely adjust the reflection of said radio frequency energy within said waveguide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of fixating tissue as recited in claim 14 further comprising the step of preventing microwave energy from escaping from said aperture.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of fixating tissue as recited in claim 14 further comprising the step of preventing moisture from collecting on said vial outer surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of fixating tissue as recited in claim 14 further comprising the steps of suspending tissue in the center of said vial and preventing said tissue from touching the sides of said vial.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of fixating tissue as recited in claim 14 comprising the step of adjusting the duration of radio frequency energy into said waveguide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of fixating tissue as recited in claim 14 further comprising the steps of: providing a lower power level radio frequency energy to said vial; measuring the reflected power level of said radio frequency energy; and adjusting the length said tissue holding means protrudes into said aperture so as to reduce said reflected power level.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
147 words
An apparatus for fixating tissue comprising: a vial containing tissue submerged in a fixating solution; a single mode resonant waveguide having a cavity formed therein with a first section, a second section, and a transitional section formed therebetween, said waveguide having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end; means for transmitting radio frequency energy through said opening into said cavity; an aperture disposed within said waveguide for inserting said vial within said second section, said aperture being positioned on said waveguide a quarter wavelength of said radio frequency energy from said wall to cause a substantially uniform E field of said radio frequency energy through said vial when inserted; and an inductive post, disposed within said second section between said aperture and said wall and modifying impedance within said waveguide so that minimal microwave energy is reflected back to said transmitting means.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
147 words
An apparatus for fixating tissue comprising: a vial containing tissue submerged in a fixating solution; a single mode resonant waveguide having a cavity formed therein with a first section, a second section, and a transitional section formed therebetween, said waveguide having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end; means for transmitting radio frequency energy through said opening into said cavity; an aperture disposed within said waveguide for inserting said vial within said second section, said aperture being positioned on said waveguide a quarter wavelength of said radio frequency energy from said wall to cause a substantially uniform E field of said radio frequency energy through said vial when inserted; and an inductive post, disposed within said second section between said aperture and said wall and modifying impedance within said waveguide so that minimal microwave energy is reflected back to said transmitting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said second section has a reduced height relative to said first section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 21 further comprising a veneer adjustment post protruding into said second section and supporting said vial, said post having a means for adjusting the length said post protrudes into said cavity so as to finely adjust the amount of radio frequency energy hitting said sample.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 21 further comprising means disposed adjacent the inside perimeter of said vial for preventing said tissue from touching the sides of said vial.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 23 further comprising means, having an air duct and a blower for preventing moisture or ionized gas from collecting on said outside of said vial by blowing gas on said vial when said vial is in said second section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said waveguide has a width of 2.5-4.6 inches and a height of 1.25-2.3 inches.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said aperture is positioned a quarter wavelength of said radio frequency energy from said wall.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for fixating tissue comprising: means for holding tissue submerged in a fixating solution, said tissue holding means having an outside surface; a waveguide having a cavity formed therein, said waveguide having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end; means for transmitting radio frequency energy through said opening and into said cavity; an aperture disposed within said waveguide for inserting said tissue holding means into said waveguide; and means for preventing moisture or any ionized gas from collecting on the outside surface of said tissue holding means.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for fixating tissue comprising: means for holding tissue submerged in a fixating solution, said tissue holding means having an outside surface; a waveguide having a cavity formed therein, said waveguide having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end; means for transmitting radio frequency energy through said opening and into said cavity; an aperture disposed within said waveguide for inserting said tissue holding means into said waveguide; and means for preventing moisture or any ionized gas from collecting on the outside surface of said tissue holding means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 28 wherein said tissue holding means is a glass or ceramic vial.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 28 wherein said preventing means includes an air duct and a gas source that blows gas on said tissue holding means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 28 wherein said vial contains means, disposed adjacent the inside perimeter of said vial, for preventing said tissue from touching the sides of said vial.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for fixating tissue comprising: means for holding tissue submerged in a fixating solution; a waveguide having a cavity, said waveguide having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end; means for transmitting radio frequency energy through said opening and into said cavity; an aperture disposed within said waveguide for inserting said tissue holding means within said cavity, said aperture being positioned on said waveguide so that a substantially uniform E field of said radio frequency energy occurs in said tissue when said tissue holding means is inserted; and an inductive post, disposed within said cavity and adjacent said aperture.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for fixating tissue comprising: means for holding tissue submerged in a fixating solution; a waveguide having a cavity, said waveguide having an opening at one end and a wall at the other end; means for transmitting radio frequency energy through said opening and into said cavity; an aperture disposed within said waveguide for inserting said tissue holding means within said cavity, said aperture being positioned on said waveguide so that a substantially uniform E field of said radio frequency energy occurs in said tissue when said tissue holding means is inserted; and an inductive post, disposed within said cavity and adjacent said aperture.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 32 wherein said post is disposed between said aperture and said wall.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
64 words
The method of fixating tissue in a microwave waveguide having a cavity comprising the steps of: placing the tissue to be fixated in a fixation solution in a vial; placing the vial into said cavity; providing radio frequency energy into said waveguide such that a substantially uniform E field forms through said vial; and providing a conductive post within said cavity adjacent said vial.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
64 words
The method of fixating tissue in a microwave waveguide having a cavity comprising the steps of: placing the tissue to be fixated in a fixation solution in a vial; placing the vial into said cavity; providing radio frequency energy into said waveguide such that a substantially uniform E field forms through said vial; and providing a conductive post within said cavity adjacent said vial.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as recited in claim 34 wherein said cavity has a wall at one end and a cavity at the other end; and wherein said conductive post is disposed between said aperture and said wall.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
54 words
The method of fixating tissue in a waveguide having a cavity formed therein comprising the steps of: holding tissue substantially submerged in a fixating solution within a vial; placing said vial in said waveguide cavity; transmitting said radio frequency energy in said waveguide; and preventing said tissue from touching the sides of said vial.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
54 words
The method of fixating tissue in a waveguide having a cavity formed therein comprising the steps of: holding tissue substantially submerged in a fixating solution within a vial; placing said vial in said waveguide cavity; transmitting said radio frequency energy in said waveguide; and preventing said tissue from touching the sides of said vial.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-01 | 1993-07-03 | 1994-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-01 | 1997-07-03 | 1998-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-01 | 2001-07-03 | 2002-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |