The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 09, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 14, 1998
Kenneth L Carr, Harvard, MA (US);
Microwave Medical Systems, Inc., Acton, MA (US);
Abstract
Microwave tumor detection apparatus includes a probe having a working end arranged to contact tissue. Positioned in the probe is at least one rectangular waveguide each waveguide having an aperture at the working end of the probe. The waveguides constitute antennas tuned to receive microwave radiation emitted by the tissue opposite the working end of the probe. Each waveguide is coupled electrically and mechanically to a dedicated radiometer in the probe for detecting the temperature of tissue opposite that waveguide. These radiometers have thermally conductive casings which are mounted to a common heat sink and are insulated so that all of the radiometers have a uniform thermal distribution. Also, a thin thermally insulating interface pad may be located between the working end of the probe and the tissue contacted by the probe to prevent such contact from causing changes in the surface temperature of the tissue. A method of detecting breast tumors is also disclosed.