Systems, apparatus, methods and procedures for the noninvasive treatment of tissue using microwave energy

Abstract

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

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for creating a lesion in skin, said system comprising:
 an apparatus including a plurality of waveguide antennas, including at least a first, second, third and fourth waveguide antenna;   a control system, wherein said control system:
 supplies energy to said first waveguide antenna at a first power level for a first time period; 
 supplies energy to said second waveguide antenna at a second power level for a second time period; and 
 supplies energy simultaneously to both said first waveguide antenna and said second waveguide antenna for a third time period, wherein, during said third time period said energy is supplied to said first waveguide antenna at a third power level and said energy is supplied to said second waveguide antenna at a fourth power level. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said energy supplied to said first waveguide antenna is in phase with said energy supplied to said second waveguide antenna. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said energy supplied to said first waveguide antenna is phase shifted from said energy applied to said second waveguide antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said energy supplied to said first waveguide antenna is phase shifted approximately 180 degrees from said energy applied to said second waveguide antenna. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said energy supplied to said first waveguide antenna is phase shifted between approximately 1 degree and 180 degrees from said energy applied to said second waveguide antenna. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein energy output from said first waveguide antenna is substantially in phase with energy output from said second waveguide antenna. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said energy supplied to said first waveguide antenna is phase shifted from said energy applied to said second waveguide antenna, said phase shift being sufficient to cause energy output from said first waveguide antenna to be in phase with energy output from said second waveguide antenna. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said energy supplied to said first and second waveguide antennas is microwave energy. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said first and second power levels are substantially equal. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said first power level is greater than said second power level. 
     
     
         11 . The system of claim I wherein energy output from said first waveguide antenna is substantially equal to energy output from said second waveguide antenna.