Thermostatically-controlled microwave cyclodestruction as a treatment for glaucoma

Abstract

Abstract A miniaturized microwave applicator comprises a thin-wall metal dielectric-filled waveguide (200) having a thermocouple (208) disposed in a groove (206) in the surface of the dielectric radiating aperture of the waveguide (200). When the aperture is placed in contact with a spot on the outer surface of the sclera overlying the ciliary body to cyclodestruct by heat generated by absorbed microwave energy radiated thereto during a given time, damage due to overheating of the scleral tissue is prevented by the thermocouple (208), which monitors the sclera surface temperature, being used to thermostatically control the microwave energy supplied to the waveguide in a manner that the scleral tissue temperature is maintained substantially constant at a value below that which would cause damage thereto. The desired operation is dependent on the fact that very little of the microwave energy is absorbed by the lower-water-content scleral tissue as it passes therethrough, but is highly absorbed by the underlying high-water-content ciliary-body tissue.

Inventors

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