Abstract: Electrons moving in a first direction are concentrated (e.g. magnetically) in a beam within a first tube. A converter converts the electrons to x-rays for movement to a particular position (e.g. tumor) in a patient. A fluid (e.g. water) flowing past the converter through a second tube co-axial with the first tube cools the converter. Microwave energy passes in the first direction through a third tube co-axial with the first tube. The third tube is open at the end near the converter so that the microwave energy will pass to the particular position in the patient. A second fluid (e.g. air) passing through a fourth tube coaxial with the first tube cools the tissue in direct contact with the x-ray needle. The second, third and fourth tubes may respectively have diameters of approximately 2, 3 and 4 millimeters. The microwave energy may pass into the third tube from a fifth tube transverse to the third tube. The microwave energy impedance may be approximately 50 .OMEGA.

Abstract: A thermodynamic therapy system including a thermally activated drug delivery system which is provided within the bloodstream of a patient under therapy, and an adaptive phased array radiation transmission system operable for transmitting and focusing radiation to heat a treatment area within the patient. The drug delivery system releases a selected drug at the treatment area in response to the treatment area being heated by the focused radiation.

Abstract: Electrons moving in a first direction are concentrated (e.g. magnetically) in a beam within a first tube. A converter converts the electrons to x-rays for movement to a particular position (e.g. tumor) in a patient. A fluid (e.g. water) flowing past the converter through a second tube co-axial with the first tube cools the converter. Microwave energy passes in the first direction through a third tube co-axial with the first tube. The third tube is open at the end near the converter so that the microwave energy will pass to the particular position in the patient. A second fluid (e.g. air) passing through a fourth tube coaxial with the first tube cools the tissue in direct contact with the x-ray needle. The second, third and fourth tubes may respectively have diameters of approximately 2, 3 and 4 millimeters. The microwave energy may pass into the third tube from a fifth tube transverse to the third tube. The microwave energy impedance may be approximately 50 .OMEGA.

Abstract: An RF hyperthermia applicator for inducing a temperature rise in a human female breast for treating carcinomas includes a waveguide applicator having an aperture and a phased-array of monopole electric field radiators coupled to a source of electric field energy for producing electric field radiation output from the waveguide through the aperture. Compression means is used for compressing a human breast to a predetermined thickness. The waveguide is positioned adjacent to the compression means such that the breast is positioned adjacent to the aperture and thereby receives electric field radiation from the waveguide. In another embodiment, at least two waveguide applicators are positioned on opposite sides of the compression means so that the compressed breast is positioned between the opposed apertures of the waveguides. An electric field probe is placed into a target within the breast to assist in focusing the electric field energy into the target.

Abstract: An R.F. hyperthermia phased array applicator uses adaptive nulling and focusing with non-invasive electric field probes to control the electric field intensity at selected positions in and around a target body to provide improved heating of solid tumors during hyperthermia treatment. A gradient search or matrix inversion algorithm is used to control the amplitude and phase weighting for the phased array transmit elements of the hyperthermia applicator. A 915 MHz monopole phased array hyperthermia applicator for heating brain tumors has an enclosed vessel including a plurality of monopole transmit antenna elements disposed as a circular arc array on a ground plane which has an aperture for positioning the tumor in proximity to the monopole antenna elements. Adaptive focusing with non-invasive electric field probes is used to maximize the electric field at the tumor site. Parallel plate microwave waveguides are used to direct R.F. energy from the monopole phased array to the tumor site.

Abstract: A hyperthermia array uses adaptive nulling with non-invasive auxiliary probes to reduce the electric field intensity at selected positions in the target body while maintaining a desired focus at a tumor thereby avoiding or reducing the occurrences of "hot spots" during ultrasonic or R.F. hyperthermia treatment. A hyperthermia applicator has an annular phased array of electric field radiators coupled to a source of electric radiation through a controllable transmit weighting network to control the phase and amplitude of the electric field radiation transmitted. The transmit weighting networks respond to feedback signals from a controller coupled to eleGOVERNMENT SUPPORTThe invention described herein was supported in whole or in part by Contract No. F19628-90-C-0002 from the United States Air Force.