Systems, apparatus, methods and procedures for the non-invasive treatment of tissue using microwave energy

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems, apparatus, methods and procedures for the noninvasive treatment of tissue using microwave energy. In one embodiment of the invention a medical device and associated apparatus and procedures are used to treat dermatological conditions using microwave energy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy transmission applicator comprising:
 a disposable interface at a distal end of said applicator, said disposable interface comprising a disposable engagement mechanism;   an antenna structure including at least one antenna aperture arranged to transmit energy through said distal end of said applicator; and   a cooling circuit including a cooling plate, wherein at least a portion of said cooling circuit is positioned between said antenna and said distal end of said applicator.   
     
     
         2 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 1  wherein said antenna comprises:
 a plurality of antennas; 
 a distribution element arranged to transmit said energy to said plurality of antennas. 
 
     
     
         3 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 2  wherein said distribution element comprises a microwave switch. 
     
     
         4 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 2  wherein said distribution element comprises a power splitter. 
     
     
         5 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 1  wherein said energy transmission applicator further comprises:
 a scattering element positioned between said aperture and said distal end of said applicator. 
 
     
     
         6 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 1  wherein said cooling circuit further comprises:
 a cooling chamber positioned between said antenna aperture and a proximal side of said cooling plate. 
 
     
     
         7 . An energy transmission applicator comprising:
 a disposable interface at a distal end of said applicator, said disposable interface comprising a disposable engagement mechanism;   a waveguide assembly including a plurality of antenna apertures arranged to transmit energy through said distal end of said applicator; and   a cooling circuit including a cooling plate, wherein at least a portion of said cooling circuit is positioned between said antenna and said distal end of said applicator.   
     
     
         8 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 7  wherein said waveguide assembly comprises:
 a plurality of waveguide antennas positioned in an antenna cradle; 
 a distribution element arranged to transmit said energy to said plurality of antennas. 
 
     
     
         9 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 8  wherein said distribution element comprises a microwave switch. 
     
     
         10 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 8  wherein said distribution element comprises a power splitter. 
     
     
         11 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 7  wherein said energy transmission applicator further comprises:
 a plurality of scattering elements positioned between said apertures and said distal end of said applicator. 
 
     
     
         12 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 7  wherein said cooling circuit further comprises cooling chambers positioned between said antenna apertures and a proximal side of said cooling plate. 
     
     
         13 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 12  wherein said waveguide assembly comprises:
 a plurality of waveguide antennas positioned in an antenna cradle; 
 a distribution element arranged to transmit said energy to said plurality of antennas. 
 
     
     
         14 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 13  wherein said cooling circuit further comprises cooling passages in said antenna cradle, said cooling passages being connected to said cooling chambers. 
     
     
         15 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 7  wherein said waveguide assembly comprises:
 a plurality of waveguide antennas; and a plurality of isolation elements positioned between said antennas. 
 
     
     
         16 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 15  wherein said waveguide assembly further comprises a first isolation element positioned at a first end of said waveguide assembly and a second isolation element positioned at a second end of said waveguide assembly. 
     
     
         17 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 16  wherein said isolation elements comprise a shim of microwave absorption material. 
     
     
         18 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 16  wherein said isolation elements comprise a microwave choke. 
     
     
         19 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 15  wherein said waveguide antenna comprises:
 an inner dielectric; and 
 an outer shell surrounding said inner dielectric on every side except said aperture. 
 
     
     
         20 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 7  wherein said cooling plate comprises:
 a proximal surface; 
 a distal surface; 
 one or more thermocouple grooves in said distal surface; and 
 one or more thermocouples positioned in said thermocouple grooves. 
 
     
     
         21 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 20  wherein said thermocouple grooves are arranged parallel to an E-Field emitted by said waveguide assembly when said transmitted energy is microwave energy. 
     
     
         22 . An energy transmission applicator according to  claim 20  wherein said microwave energy is transmitted in a TE1O mode.