MICROWAVE APPLICATOR AND METHOD OF OPERATION

摘要

An apparatus and method for non-invasive removal of target tissues, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator antenna element array (20) 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. The effect of the column of high density is to raise the temperature of adipose cells to a level at which fat cel necrosis occurs. In operation, a cooling bolus (34) coupled to the applicator actively maintains skin surface temperature below a level at which cell damage or discomfort would occur.