Abstract: Thawing is achieved by applying high-frequency power to a frozen material (R) sandwiched between opposing electrodes. A thawing section of a thawing apparatus (10) includes unit electrodes (302) for a first electrode group as a former stage, unit electrodes (303) for a second electrode group as a latter stage, and unit electrodes (304) for a third electrode group as a further stage. The unit electrodes (302) for the first electrode group are set so that the area of the electrode surface is smaller than the area of the sandwiched surface of the frozen material (R). The unit electrodes (303) for the second top electrode group are larger than the area of the unit electrodes (302) for the first electrode group. The unit electrodes (304) for the third electrode group are larger than the area of the unit electrodes (303) for the second electrode group.

Abstract: While an interferon therapy is a conventional method for treating hepatitis C, no particular option exists currently in the treatment except for this interferon therapy. An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for treating hepatitis C. The present invention includes a method for treating hepatitis C comprising warming a liver region of a human by sandwiching an upper abdominal region of a human body between electrodes on the front and back by supplying a high-frequency electric power to these electrodes.

Abstract: While an interferon therapy is a conventional method for treating hepatitis C, no particular option exists currently in the treatment except for this interferon therapy. An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for treating hepatitis C. The present invention includes a method for treating hepatitis C comprising warming a liver region of a human by sandwiching an upper abdominal region of a human body between electrodes on the front and back by supplying a high-frequency electric power to these electrodes.

Abstract: A prepackaged food sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing a prepackaged food P has a high frequency generator 71. A high frequency is supplied from the high frequency generator 71 to the prepackaged food P to sterilize the prepackaged food P by dielectric heating. The apparatus includes a food loading container 2x constituted by a pair of opposing electrodes 20 consisting of a lower electrode 210 and an upper electrode 220 to which the high frequency is supplied and an annular insulator 23 interposed between the opposing electrode pair 20. The food loading container 2x has at least one food loading chamber 21 in which the prepackaged food P is loaded with an inner shape thereof substantially equal to an outer shape of the prepackaged food P.

Abstract: An object of a high-frequency thawing apparatus is to uniformly thaw an entirety of an article with high efficiency and high-speed, particularly an article having a relatively large thickness. The apparatus is so constructed that a high-frequency power from a high-frequency generating circuit is supplied to a pair of opposing electrodes by way of an impedance matching circuit including a transformer to thaw an article (F) which is carried in between the opposing electrode pair by dielectric heating. The impedance matching circuit includes an electrostatic capacitor section (C) and an inductance section (L). A conductor each constituting the inductance section (L) has such a length that the downstream-located conductor with respect to the transport direction of a conveyor is longer than the upstream-located conductor.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating a prepackaged food, is provided with a heater which heats a prepackaged food, an enclosure which defines an airtight chamber operable to accommodate the prepackaged food, and a pressure controller which controls the inside pressure of the airtight chamber. The heater includes a pair of electrodes which are arranged face to face, and an electric power source which supplies a high frequency electric power. The inside pressure of the airtight chamber is controlled in response to an expansion of the prepackaged food being heated to prevent the packaging container from breaking out.