Electromagnetic applicator for localizing hyperthermia heating in a system

摘要

An electromagnetic applicator (10) is provided for heating internal biological tissue, such as cancerous tumors, where applicators generate an electromagnetic field propagating across a gap (20) for forming a relative maximum power density adjacent the internal tumor volume. Conductive elements (12, 14) are spaced a predetermined distance to form a gap (20) and power is applied at radio frequencies through a balancing and matching circuit to generate the electromagnetic field which propagates across the gap (20). A plurality of applicators (10) may be placed about a body location to enable the maximum relative power density to be placed at a selected location within the body portion. A radiating dipole antenna (46) may be used to radiate a signal from which transmitted signal parameters are derived for forming a local power density maximum at a location approximated by the radiating dipole antenna (46). A controller (42) provides power source (40) outputs to applicators (10) having the same relative amplitudes and opposite phase angles of signals received from the transmitting dipole antenna (46) at locations approximating the locations of applicators (10) at the desired body location.