Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for non-invasive removal of target tissues is disclosed. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator antenna element array for introducing a plurality of cylindrical, quasi-transverse electromagnetic surface waves adjacent the target tissue. The applicator is used for reducing fatty tissue within a subcutaneous fatty layer by taking into account the differing dielectric constants of the adjacent skin and muscle layers. A cooling bolus, made of water equivalent ceramic material, actively maintains skin surface temperature below a level at which cell damage or discomfort would occur. A control system for the applicator comprises a software driven digital computer including a program for choosing antenna array excitations. The control system further includes a phase shifting circuit including a compensating network for reducing the variation in insertion loss with phase shift. A monopole-like microstrip antenna element having a plurality of shorting pins is also disclosed for adjusting the resonant frequency and input impedance of the antenna elements. In operation, the fatty cells can be reduced through necrosis or apoptosis through the application of short pulse, high temperature doses of heat using the principle of the exponential time-temperature isoeffect relationship for tissue. In another embodiment of the present invention, the fatty tissue may be infiltrated with substances by transcutaneous injection before, during or after treatment to enhance the effectiveness of the microwave applicator.

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First Claim