Abstract: A microwave thermokeratoplasty system uses an applicator having embedded sensors that provide feedback signals to a controller. The controller interprets these feedback signals to dynamically adjust or cease a keratoplasty operation. The system uses a microwave applicator that is specially adapted for direct application of energy to an eye in the course of treatment. The applicator is formed of discrete zones or sectors that are selectively controlled in an individual manner.

Abstract: A thermal treatment system with acoustic monitoring applies substantially constant electromagnetic energy superposed with pulsed electromagnetic energy to targeted tissue. The pulsed electromagnetic energy reacts with tissue to create an acoustic pressure wave within the tissue. The acoustic pressure wave is sensed by an acoustic sensor, and a sensor signal indicative of the acoustic pressure wave is generated and processed to determine changes in tissue composition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the treatment of keratinized tissue infected with a pathogen. The invention utilizes electromagnetic energy, particularly microwave energy, as a treatment means to reduce the amount of or eliminate the pathogen from the keratinized tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the treatment of keratinized tissue infected with a pathogen. The invention utilizes electromagnetic energy, particularly microwave energy, as a treatment means to reduce the amount of or eliminate the pathogen from the keratinized tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides applicators for performing thermokeratoplasty. One embodiment of such applicators includes two generally tubular electrical conducting elements coaxially disposed relative to one another and separated by an electrically insulating element having a selected thickness. At least a portion of each conducting tube is coated with an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material, e.g., anodized aluminum, so as to electrically insulate the conducting tubes from corneal tissue upon placement of the applicator on a subject's cornea while facilitating extraction of heat from the cornea.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the treatment of keratinized tissue infected with a pathogen. The invention utilizes electromagnetic energy, particularly microwave energy, as a treatment means to reduce the amount of or eliminate the pathogen from the keratinized tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides applicators for performing thermokeratoplasty. One embodiment of such applicators includes two generally tubular electrical conducting elements coaxially disposed relative to one another and separated by an electrically insulating element having a selected thickness. At least a portion of each conducting tube is coated with an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material, e.g., anodized aluminum, so as to electrically insulate the conducting tubes from corneal tissue upon placement of the applicator on a subject's cornea while facilitating extraction of heat from the cornea.

Abstract: A microwave thermokeratoplasty system uses an applicator having embedded sensors that provide feedback signals to a controller. The controller interprets these feedback signals to dynamically adjust or cease a keratoplasty operation. The system uses a microwave applicator that is specially adapted for direct application of energy to an eye in the course of treatment. The applicator is formed of discrete zones or sectors that are selectively controlled in an individual manner.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods for 14 treatment, and occlusion of the fallopian tube. An elongated catheter (22) is placed into the isthmic region (14) of the fallopian tube (16) in a trans-cervical trans-uterine fashion, and a mono-pole antenna (92) is disposed within a distal end of the catheter. The antenna radiates microwave energy in resonance to a drive frequency into tissue of the isthmic region without physical contact between the mono-pole antenna, and the tissue. This heating causes occlusion after a period of time. Typically, the catheter, and the mono-pole antenna are disposable after one treatment. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna is formed from an extension of the inner conductor of a coaxial cable coupled to a microwave generator. A power control section (24) can be used to control, and apply the appropriate microwave power to the fallopian tube tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal treatment of tissue employing microwave energy is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes an elongated member having a tissue capturing portion. A microwave conductor operatively mounts with the elongated member and has a forward conductor end. The microwave conductor is adapted for movement between an unadvanced position where the forward conductor end is displaced from the tissue capturing portion and an advanced position where the forward conductor end is adjacent to the tissue capturing portion to direct microwave energy toward the body tissue portion supported therein. A source of microwave energy in electrical communication with the microwave conductor supplies microwave energy having a frequency ranging from about 400 MHz to about 2500 MHz. Preferably, the microwave conductor includes an active conductor and a return conductor in a coaxial arrangement. The forward conductor end may be uninsulated or insulated.

Abstract: A radiant heating apparatus for deployment within an animal body to radiate heat-producing electromagnetic energy into the body includes an antenna mounted on a catheter element and connected to an electrical transmission line having first and second conductors for feeding electrical current from a source to the antenna. The apparatus has the improvement in which the antenna comprises a first radiating element carried on the catheter element and extending from an antenna feed junction in a first direction along a first elongation axis. The first radiating element is connected to the first transmission line conductor at the feed junction and presents a first selected impedance to the feed junction. A second radiating element is carried on the catheter element and extends from the feed junction in a second direction opposite to the first direction along the first axis.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus of reshaping the cornea to correct hyperopia, keratoconus, or myopia is described. The central stroma of the cornea is heated by microwave electromagnetic energy to the shrinkage temperature of collagen. The microwave applicator for heating stroma comprises an open-ended, coaxial antenna driven at 2450 MHz with apparatus for surface cooling of the cornea by flow of saline transverse to the antenna axis.