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.

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. Through successive phase shifts, the electromagnetic surface waves are brought to converge on a focal point within the target tissue, thereby elevating the temperature of the tissue. In one application, the microwave 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. By launching a wave trapped between the skin layer and the muscle layers, a converging cylindrical wave is produced which includes a column of high density along a line extending from the skin-fat interface to the muscle-fat interface.