EP0619621A1 - Flat or cylindrically structured applicator with microslot(s), for the emission or the reception of high frequency signals - Google Patents

Flat or cylindrically structured applicator with microslot(s), for the emission or the reception of high frequency signals Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0619621A1
EP0619621A1 EP94440024A EP94440024A EP0619621A1 EP 0619621 A1 EP0619621 A1 EP 0619621A1 EP 94440024 A EP94440024 A EP 94440024A EP 94440024 A EP94440024 A EP 94440024A EP 0619621 A1 EP0619621 A1 EP 0619621A1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
radiating
applicator
applicator according
screen
frequency signals
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP94440024A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Maurice Chive
Jean-Jacques Fabre
Luc Dubois
Edouard Playez
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Sadis Bruker Spectrospin SA
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Sadis Bruker Spectrospin SA
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Publication of EP0619621A1 publication Critical patent/EP0619621A1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/10—Resonant slot antennas

Definitions

  • the present invention produced by the Microwave and Semiconductor Department (Institute of Electronics and Microelectronics of the North, UM R9929 CNRS) of the University of Sciences and Technologies of Lille (France) relates to the field of emission and reception of high frequency signals, in particular microwaves, in particular for an application in microwave hyperthermia controlled by radiometry multifrequency microwave and relates to an applicator with flat or cylindrical structure with microfente (s), for the emission or reception of high frequency signals, in particular microwaves.
  • Each of the two aforementioned types of applicators can be used either as an emitter, in particular for heating surrounding living tissue, or as a receiver, for measuring, for example, the temperature in microwave radiometry.
  • the endocavity applicators with existing cylindrical structure generally use wire or coaxial antennas, single or multiple, associated or not with a metallic reflector for a more or less directive radiation.
  • applicators have been proposed having an antenna in the form of a plated structure arranged on a dielectric layer.
  • the resulting radiation lobe always has an identical shape, notably prohibiting uniform heating of a given volume of living tissue or oriented reception and having a precisely delimited collection field.
  • the depth of heating efficiency directly dependent on the energy emitted at the single antenna, is limited by the power that can be radiated by said antenna without causing damage to the adjacent tissues.
  • the present invention aims in particular to overcome all of the aforementioned drawbacks.
  • an applicator with a flat or cylindrical structure for the transmission or reception of high frequency signals, in particular of microwaves, characterized in that it is mainly constituted, on the one hand. by a substrate support layer made of a flexible or rigid dielectric material, on the other hand by a screen, advantageously in the form of a layer or a sheet of conductive material, provided with at least one opening and arranged on the face of said support layer facing the fabrics to be treated, and finally by at least two radiating or receiving elements, in the form of films or thin deposits of a conductive material, arranged on the face of the support layer opposite to that carrying the screen and supplied separately with high frequency signals or delivering separately received high frequency signals.
  • the applicator with a flat or cylindrical structure mainly consists, on the one hand. by a support layer 2 of substrate of a dielectric, flexible or rigid material, on the other hand by a screen 3, advantageously in the form of a layer or a sheet of conductive material, provided with at least one opening and disposed on the face 5 of said support layer 2 facing the tissues to be treated, and, finally, by at least two radiating or receiving elements 6, in the form of films or thin deposits of a conductive material, arranged on the face 4 of the support layer 2 opposite to that 5 carrying the screen 3 and supplied separately with high frequency signals or delivering separately received high frequency signals.
  • the applicators 1 according to the invention may therefore have either a flat structure ( Figures 1 and 3) for use on the surface, by placing on the skin of an individual, or a cylindrical structure, preferably hollow and closed at one of its ends by a semi-spherical part, for endocavitary use ( Figures 2 and 4).
  • the dielectric material composing the support layer 2 will advantageously be of a low-loss type, for example teflon, epoxy alumina, ceramic compound or other polymers, having a constant dielectric coefficient and a determined thickness, depending on the frequency of the signals to be emitted or to capture, and mechanical properties (rigidity, elasticity, deformability) adapted to the nature and size of the applicator 1 to be produced.
  • a low-loss type for example teflon, epoxy alumina, ceramic compound or other polymers, having a constant dielectric coefficient and a determined thickness, depending on the frequency of the signals to be emitted or to capture, and mechanical properties (rigidity, elasticity, deformability) adapted to the nature and size of the applicator 1 to be produced.
  • the radiating elements 6 are preferably in the form of separate strips of small width and parallel to each other, the number, dimensions L (length), W (width) and the spacings E can be determined according to the applications envisaged.
  • the radiating elements 6, as well as the screen 3, may advantageously consist of copper, applied in the form of films or self-adhesive sheet or deposited according to known production methods of printed circuits.
  • the applicator 1 comprises two radiating elements 6. However, if the area to be treated or to be probed is relatively large, the applicator 1 may comprise more than two radiating elements 6.
  • the face 5 of the support layer 2 intended to be applied against or on the living tissues comprises a protective layer 7, possibly removable, also in a dielectric material, covering the screen 3 disposed on said face 5 ( Figures 1, 3 and 4).
  • This protective layer 7 may, in the case of an applicator 1 of cylindrical structure be in the form of a hollow cylinder fitted onto said applicator 1 ( Figure 4).
  • Such a protective layer 7 can also make it possible to constitute a means of cooling the adjacent tissues in the form of a film of water circulating in a gap between the screen 3, which comprises the opening 8 or the openings 9, and the protective layer 7.
  • the ground plane 3 has a single opening 8 located opposite the radiating or receiving elements 6 and containing all of these in its field, thus constituting a radiating or receiving window, supplied by at least two radiating elements 6 coupled or supplying at least two receiving elements 6 coupled, depending on the operating mode of the applicator 1, said radiating window producing a composition of the radiated fields by said elements 6.
  • the screen 3 has as many openings 9 as the support layer 2 carries radiating or receiving elements 6, each of said openings 9 being located opposite a radiating or receiving element 6 and containing the latter in its respective field, thus constituting radiating or receiving slots, supplied by or supplying the radiating or receiving elements 6, the coupling being effected in this case either at the level of the elements 6, but at the level of the slots 9.
  • the transmission or reception is carried out through the screen 3 and, in order to direct the emissions of the radiating elements 6 through the window 8 or the slots 9 or to limit the disturbances on reception of the receiving elements 6, the applicator 1 may also have a reflecting plane 10 placed at a certain distance h from the face 4 of the support layer 2 carrying the radiating or receiving elements 6.
  • the radiating or receiving elements 6, in the form of strips are supplied or connected via conductive lines 11 contiguous, each to a strip 6 radiant or receiving and composed of films or thin deposits, made, possibly, in one piece with said radiating or receiving strips 6, connection bases, reported on the screen 3 and having an insulated conductor, connected to a line conductive 11, serving as an interface with a supply cord of said applicator 1, said cord possibly being relatively rigid in order to facilitate the introduction of the endocavity type applicator 1 (not shown).
  • the conductive lines 11 may have widths and thicknesses such that their characteristic impedance has a given value, for example 50 Ohms.
  • the conductive lines 11 may advantageously have, at their connection zone with the radiating strips, an end portion progressively widening in the form of a wedge and connecting continuously to the corresponding radiating strip 6, coinciding with the one end of the latter ( Figure 3), thus resulting in good power adaptation.
  • the slots 9 may, for radiating or receiving elements 6 having a width W of the order of 20 mm, have a width of the order of 25 mm and be mutually separated by a distance of the order of 6 mm, their lengths corresponding to that of said elements 6.
  • an applicator 1 with a flat or cylindrical structure comprising several elements 6, in the form of narrow bands emitting or receiving. by being coupled, through a window provided in a screen 3 or through slots 9 coupled, each associated with a radiating or receiving element 6.
  • This sensor makes it possible to obtain performance at the emission and at the reception clearly higher than those of the devices known at present, while presenting a simple constitution and easily achievable.
  • the supply of the coupled radiating elements 6 or, respectively, of the coupled slots 9, with high frequency signals, in particular microwave in phase, by means of a power divider for example, makes it possible to considerably increase, d on the one hand, the penetration depth of the wave emitted in the dissipative medium to be heated (living tissue) in the coupling zone and, on the other hand, the width of the radiation lobe resulting in a large useful heating zone (composition the fields).
  • the radiation diagram can be modified, making it possible to preferentially heat a particular zone situated under the applicator 1.
  • the radiation diagrams of the applicators 1 in accordance with the invention can be modeled and calculated, making it possible to structurally and dimensionally define the radiating or receiving elements 6 and / or the openings 8, 9 as a function of the desired results.
  • a variable phase shift over time advantageously allows homogeneous heating over a very large area.
  • the displacement of the radiation lobe by phase shift or by successively using the two slots 9 makes it possible to carry out a radiometric scan over the entire opening of the applicator 1, with a view to refining the reconstructions of thermal profiles.

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a flat or cylindrically structured applicator with microslot(s) for the emission or the reception of high-frequency signals. Applicator characterised in that it consists mainly, on the one hand, of a substrate support layer (2) of a flexible or rigid dielectric material, on the other hand of a screen (3) advantageously in the form of a layer or of a sheet of conducting material, provided with at least one aperture (8,9) and arranged on the face (5) of the said support layer (2) turned towards the tissues (fabrics) to be treated and, finally, of at least two radiating or receiving elements (6) in the form of films or thin deposits of a conducting material, arranged on the face (4) of the support layer (2) opposite to that (5) carrying the screen (3) and fed separately with high-frequency signals or delivering high-frequency signals picked up separately. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention, réalisée par le Département Hyperfréquences et Semi-conducteurs (Institut d'Electronique et Microélectronique du Nord, UM R9929 CNRS) de l'Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille (France) concerne le domaine des dispositifs d'émission et de réception de signaux haute fréquence, notamment micro-ondes, en particulier pour une application en hyperthermie micro-onde contrôlée par radiométrie micro-onde multifréquence et a pour objet un applicateur à structure plane ou cylindrique à microfente(s), pour l'émission ou la réception de signaux haute fréquence, notamment micro-ondes.The present invention, produced by the Microwave and Semiconductor Department (Institute of Electronics and Microelectronics of the North, UM R9929 CNRS) of the University of Sciences and Technologies of Lille (France) relates to the field of emission and reception of high frequency signals, in particular microwaves, in particular for an application in microwave hyperthermia controlled by radiometry multifrequency microwave and relates to an applicator with flat or cylindrical structure with microfente (s), for the emission or reception of high frequency signals, in particular microwaves.

Actuellement, il existe principalement deux types d'applicateurs du genre précité, à savoir, d'une part, des applicateurs à structure plane destinés à être mis en place sur la surface du corps humain ou animal et, d'autre part, des applicateurs à structure cylindrique pour des applications endocavitaires, c'est-à-dire destinés à être introduits dans des orifices ou des voies naturelles du corps humain ou animal, telles que le rectum, l'urètre, l'oesophage, le vagin, l'utérus ou analogue.Currently, there are mainly two types of applicators of the aforementioned kind, namely, on the one hand, flat structure applicators intended to be placed on the surface of the human or animal body and, on the other hand, applicators of cylindrical structure for endocavitary applications, that is to say intended to be introduced into orifices or natural pathways of the human or animal body, such as the rectum, urethra, esophagus, vagina, uterus or the like.

Chacun des deux types d'applicateurs précités peut être mis en oeuvre soit en tant qu'émetteur, notamment pour chauffer des tissus vivants environnants, soit en tant que récepteur, pour mesurer, par exemple, la température en radiométrie micro-onde.Each of the two aforementioned types of applicators can be used either as an emitter, in particular for heating surrounding living tissue, or as a receiver, for measuring, for example, the temperature in microwave radiometry.

Les applicateurs endocavitaire à structure cylindrique existants utilisent généralement des antennes filaires ou coaxiales, uniques ou multiples, associées ou non à un réflecteur métallique pour un rayonnement plus ou moins directif.The endocavity applicators with existing cylindrical structure generally use wire or coaxial antennas, single or multiple, associated or not with a metallic reflector for a more or less directive radiation.

Néanmoins, la constitution et la réalisation de tels applicateurs est relativement complexe du fait de la nécessité de prévoir un dispositif de thermostatisation ou de refroidissement en habillant la ou lesdites antennes de gaines remplies de liquide de thermostatisation ou de refroidissement.However, the constitution and production of such applicators is relatively complex due to the need to provide a thermostatization or cooling device by covering the said antenna (s) with sheaths filled with thermostatization or cooling liquid.

Ce dernier point entraîne, en outre, une dissipation importante de l'énergie rayonnée par la ou lesdites antennes dans ledit dispositif de thermostatisation ou de refroidissement, d'où résulte une transmission d'énergie moindre aux tissus environnants.This last point leads, in addition, to a significant dissipation of the energy radiated by the said antenna (s) in said thermostatization or cooling device, which results in less energy transmission to the surrounding tissues.

En outre, lorsque de tels applicateurs fonctionnent en réception leur directivité limitée entraîne le captage de nombreux signaux parasites, notamment ceux issus du liquide de thermostatisation, faussant les évaluations ultérieures de températures.In addition, when such applicators operate on reception, their limited directivity results in the picking up of numerous parasitic signals, in particular those coming from the thermostating liquid, distorting the subsequent evaluations of temperatures.

Afin de tenter de palier ces inconvénients, il a été proposé des applicateurs présentant une antenne sous forme de structure plaquée disposée sur une couche diélectrique.In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks, applicators have been proposed having an antenna in the form of a plated structure arranged on a dielectric layer.

Toutefois, le lobe de rayonnement résultant présente toujours une forme identique, interdisant notamment un chauffage uniforme d'un volume donné de tissus vivants ou une réception orientée et présentant un champ de captage délimité précisément.However, the resulting radiation lobe always has an identical shape, notably prohibiting uniform heating of a given volume of living tissue or oriented reception and having a precisely delimited collection field.

De plus, la profondeur d'efficacité de chauffage, dépendant directement de l'énergie émise au niveau de l'antenne unique, est limitée par la puissance pouvant être rayonnée par ladite antenne sans provoquer de dommages au niveau des tissus adjacents.In addition, the depth of heating efficiency, directly dependent on the energy emitted at the single antenna, is limited by the power that can be radiated by said antenna without causing damage to the adjacent tissues.

La présente invention a notamment pour but de pallier l'ensemble des inconvénients précités.The present invention aims in particular to overcome all of the aforementioned drawbacks.

A cet effet, elle a pour objet un applicateur à structure plane ou cylindrique, pour l'émission ou la réception de signaux haute fréquence, notamment de micro-ondes, caractérisé en ce qu'il est principalement constitué, d'une part. par une couche support de substrat en un matériau diélectrique, souple ou rigide, d'autre part par un écran, avantageusement sous la forme d'une couche ou d'une feuille de matériau conducteur, pourvu d'au moins une ouverture et disposé sur la face de ladite couche support tournée vers les tissus à traiter, et, enfin, par au moins deux éléments rayonnants ou récepteurs, sous la forme de films ou de dépôts minces en un matériau conducteur, disposés sur la face de la couche support opposée à celle portant l'écran et alimentés de manière séparée en signaux haute fréquence ou délivrant des signaux haute fréquence captés de manière séparée.To this end, it relates to an applicator with a flat or cylindrical structure, for the transmission or reception of high frequency signals, in particular of microwaves, characterized in that it is mainly constituted, on the one hand. by a substrate support layer made of a flexible or rigid dielectric material, on the other hand by a screen, advantageously in the form of a layer or a sheet of conductive material, provided with at least one opening and arranged on the face of said support layer facing the fabrics to be treated, and finally by at least two radiating or receiving elements, in the form of films or thin deposits of a conductive material, arranged on the face of the support layer opposite to that carrying the screen and supplied separately with high frequency signals or delivering separately received high frequency signals.

L'invention sera mieux comprise grâce à la description ci-après, qui se rapporte à des modes de réalisation préférés, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, et expliqués avec référence aux dessins schématiques annexés, dans lesquels:

  • les figures 1 à 4 sont des vues en perspective de différentes variantes de réalisation d'un applicateur à structure plane ou cylindrique conforme à l'invention, et,
  • la figure 5 représente une vue en coupe schématique selon A-A' de l'applicateur représenté à la figure 1.
The invention will be better understood thanks to the description below, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:
  • FIGS. 1 to 4 are perspective views of different alternative embodiments of an applicator with a flat or cylindrical structure according to the invention, and,
  • FIG. 5 represents a schematic sectional view along AA 'of the applicator represented in FIG. 1.

Conformément à l'invention, et comme le montrent les figures 1 à 5 des dessins annexés, l'applicateur à structure plane ou cylindrique est principalement constitué, d'une part. par une couche support 2 de substrat en un matériau diélectrique, souple ou rigide, d'autre part par un écran 3, avantageusement sous la forme d'une couche ou d'une feuille de matériau conducteur, pourvu d'au moins une ouverture et disposé sur la face 5 de ladite couche support 2 tournée vers les tissus à traiter, et, enfin, par au moins deux éléments 6 rayonnants ou récepteurs, sous la forme de films ou de dépôts minces en un matériau conducteur, disposés sur la face 4 de la couche support 2 opposée à celle 5 portant l'écran 3 et alimentés de manière séparée en signaux haute fréquence ou délivrant des signaux haute fréquence captés de manière séparée.In accordance with the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the appended drawings, the applicator with a flat or cylindrical structure mainly consists, on the one hand. by a support layer 2 of substrate of a dielectric, flexible or rigid material, on the other hand by a screen 3, advantageously in the form of a layer or a sheet of conductive material, provided with at least one opening and disposed on the face 5 of said support layer 2 facing the tissues to be treated, and, finally, by at least two radiating or receiving elements 6, in the form of films or thin deposits of a conductive material, arranged on the face 4 of the support layer 2 opposite to that 5 carrying the screen 3 and supplied separately with high frequency signals or delivering separately received high frequency signals.

Les applicateurs 1 selon l'invention pourront, par conséquent, présenter soit une structure plane (Figures 1 et 3) pour une utilisation en surface, par mise en place sur la peau d'un individu, soit une structure cylindrique, préférentiellement creuse et fermée à l'une de ses extrémités par une partie demi-sphérique, pour une utilisation endocavitaire (Figures 2 et 4).The applicators 1 according to the invention may therefore have either a flat structure (Figures 1 and 3) for use on the surface, by placing on the skin of an individual, or a cylindrical structure, preferably hollow and closed at one of its ends by a semi-spherical part, for endocavitary use (Figures 2 and 4).

Le matériau diélectrique composant la couche support 2 sera avantageusement d'un type à faibles pertes, par exemple téflon, époxy alumine, composé céramique ou autres polymères, présentant un coefficient diélectrique constant et une épaisseur déterminée, fonction de la fréquence des signaux à émettre ou à capter, et des propriétés mécaniques (rigidité, élasticité, déformabilité) adaptées à la nature et à la taille de l'applicateur 1 à réaliser.The dielectric material composing the support layer 2 will advantageously be of a low-loss type, for example teflon, epoxy alumina, ceramic compound or other polymers, having a constant dielectric coefficient and a determined thickness, depending on the frequency of the signals to be emitted or to capture, and mechanical properties (rigidity, elasticity, deformability) adapted to the nature and size of the applicator 1 to be produced.

Les éléments rayonnants 6 se présentent préférentiellement sous la forme de bandes séparées de faible largeur et parallèles entre elles, dont le nombre, les dimensions L (longueur), W (largeur) et les espacements E peuvent être déterminés en fonction des applications envisagées.The radiating elements 6 are preferably in the form of separate strips of small width and parallel to each other, the number, dimensions L (length), W (width) and the spacings E can be determined according to the applications envisaged.

Les éléments rayonnants 6, ainsi que l'écran 3, pourront avantageusement consister en du cuivre, appliqué sous forme de films ou de feuille autocollante ou déposé suivant les procédés de réalisation connus des circuits imprimés.The radiating elements 6, as well as the screen 3, may advantageously consist of copper, applied in the form of films or self-adhesive sheet or deposited according to known production methods of printed circuits.

Conformément à un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, l'applicateur 1 comporte deux éléments rayonnants 6. Toutefois, si la zone à traiter ou à sonder est relativement étendue, l'applicateur 1 pourra comporter plus de deux éléments rayonnants 6.In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicator 1 comprises two radiating elements 6. However, if the area to be treated or to be probed is relatively large, the applicator 1 may comprise more than two radiating elements 6.

Toutefois, en vue de protéger l'écran 3 de l'usure et simultanément les tissus adjacents en cas d'émission, la face 5 de la couche support 2 destinée à être appliquée contre ou sur les tissus vivants comporte une couche de protection 7, éventuellement amovible, également en un matériau diélectrique, recouvrant l'écran 3 disposé sur ladite face 5 (Figures 1, 3 et 4).However, in order to protect the screen 3 from wear and simultaneously the adjacent tissues in the event of emission, the face 5 of the support layer 2 intended to be applied against or on the living tissues comprises a protective layer 7, possibly removable, also in a dielectric material, covering the screen 3 disposed on said face 5 (Figures 1, 3 and 4).

Cette couche de protection 7 pourra, dans le cas d'un applicateur 1 de structure cylindrique se présenter sous la forme d'un cylindre creux emboîté sur ledit applicateur 1 (Figure 4).This protective layer 7 may, in the case of an applicator 1 of cylindrical structure be in the form of a hollow cylinder fitted onto said applicator 1 (Figure 4).

Une telle couche de protection 7 peut également permettre de constituer un moyen de refroidissement des tissus adjacents sous la forme d'une pellicule d'eau circulant dans un interstice entre l'écran 3, qui comporte l'ouverture 8 ou les ouvertures 9, et la couche de protection 7.Such a protective layer 7 can also make it possible to constitute a means of cooling the adjacent tissues in the form of a film of water circulating in a gap between the screen 3, which comprises the opening 8 or the openings 9, and the protective layer 7.

Selon une première variante de réalisation de l'invention, représentée aux figures 1 et 2 des dessins annexés, le plan de masse 3 comporte une ouverture 8 unique située en face des éléments 6 rayonnants ou récepteurs et contenant l'ensemble de ces derniers dans son champ, constituant ainsi une fenêtre rayonnante ou réceptrice, alimentée par au moins deux éléments rayonnants 6 couplés ou alimentant au moins deux éléments récepteurs 6 couplés, en fonction du mode de fonctionnement de l'applicateur 1, ladite fenêtre rayonnante réalisant une composition des champs rayonnés par lesdits éléments 6.According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the ground plane 3 has a single opening 8 located opposite the radiating or receiving elements 6 and containing all of these in its field, thus constituting a radiating or receiving window, supplied by at least two radiating elements 6 coupled or supplying at least two receiving elements 6 coupled, depending on the operating mode of the applicator 1, said radiating window producing a composition of the radiated fields by said elements 6.

Conformément à une seconde variante de réalisation de l'invention, représentée aux figures 3 et 4 des dessins annexés, I'écran 3 comporte autant d'ouvertures 9 que la couche support 2 porte d'éléments 6 rayonnants ou récepteurs, chacune desdites ouvertures 9 étant située en face d'un élément 6 rayonnant ou récepteur et contenant ce dernier dans son champ respectif, constituant ainsi des fentes rayonnantes ou réceptrices, alimentées par ou alimentant les éléments 6 rayonnants ou récepteurs, le couplage s'effectuant dans ce cas non plus au niveau des éléments 6, mais au niveau des fentes 9.According to a second alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, the screen 3 has as many openings 9 as the support layer 2 carries radiating or receiving elements 6, each of said openings 9 being located opposite a radiating or receiving element 6 and containing the latter in its respective field, thus constituting radiating or receiving slots, supplied by or supplying the radiating or receiving elements 6, the coupling being effected in this case either at the level of the elements 6, but at the level of the slots 9.

Dans les deux variantes de réalisation décrites ci-dessus, l'émission ou la réception s'effectue à travers l'écran 3 et, afin de diriger les émissions des éléments rayonnants 6 à travers la fenêtre 8 ou les fentes 9 ou de limiter les perturbations à la réception des éléments récepteurs 6, l'applicateur 1 peut présenter, en outre, un plan réflecteur 10 placé à une certaine distance h de la face 4 de la couche support 2 portant les éléments 6 rayonnants ou récepteurs.In the two embodiments described above, the transmission or reception is carried out through the screen 3 and, in order to direct the emissions of the radiating elements 6 through the window 8 or the slots 9 or to limit the disturbances on reception of the receiving elements 6, the applicator 1 may also have a reflecting plane 10 placed at a certain distance h from the face 4 of the support layer 2 carrying the radiating or receiving elements 6.

Dans le cas d'un applicateur 1 à structure plane, la mise en place d'un tel plan réflecteur 10, sous la forme d'une feuille ou d'une surface métallique, permet, de plus, d'éviter les perturbations générées normalement par la mise en boîtier au niveau des caractéristiques haute fréquence de l'applicateur 1 (fréquences de résonance, adaptation en puissance, diagramme de rayonnement).In the case of an applicator 1 with a flat structure, the installation of such a reflective plane 10, in the form of a sheet or of a metal surface, also makes it possible to avoid the disturbances normally generated by housing in the high frequency characteristics of applicator 1 (resonance frequencies, power adaptation, radiation diagram).

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, représentée partiellement aux figures 1 à 4 des dessins annexés, les éléments 6 rayonnants ou récepteurs, sous forme de bandes sont alimentés ou connectés par l'intermédiaire de lignes conductrices 11 contiguës, chacune, à une bande 6 rayonnante ou réceptrice et composées de films ou de dépôts minces, réalisées, éventuellement, d'un seul tenant avec lesdites bandes 6 rayonnantes ou réceptrices, des embases de connexion, rapportées sur l'écran 3 et présentant un conducteur isolé, relié à une ligne conductrice 11, servant d'interface avec un cordon d'alimentation dudit applicateur 1, ledit cordon pouvant éventuellement être relativement rigide afin de faciliter l'introduction de l'applicateur 1 de type endocavitaire (non représenté).According to a characteristic of the invention, partially shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, the radiating or receiving elements 6, in the form of strips are supplied or connected via conductive lines 11 contiguous, each to a strip 6 radiant or receiving and composed of films or thin deposits, made, possibly, in one piece with said radiating or receiving strips 6, connection bases, reported on the screen 3 and having an insulated conductor, connected to a line conductive 11, serving as an interface with a supply cord of said applicator 1, said cord possibly being relatively rigid in order to facilitate the introduction of the endocavity type applicator 1 (not shown).

Les lignes conductrices 11 pourront comporter des largeurs et des épaisseurs telles que leur impédance caractéristique présente une valeur donnée, par exemple 50 Ohms.The conductive lines 11 may have widths and thicknesses such that their characteristic impedance has a given value, for example 50 Ohms.

En outre, les lignes conductrices 11 peuvent avantageusement présenter, au niveau de leur zone de connexion avec les bandes rayonnantes, une partie extrême s'élargissant progressivement en forme de coin et se raccordant continûment sur la bande rayonnante 6 correspondante en se confondant avec l'une des extrémités de cette dernière (Figure 3), entraînant ainsi une bonne adaptation en puissance.In addition, the conductive lines 11 may advantageously have, at their connection zone with the radiating strips, an end portion progressively widening in the form of a wedge and connecting continuously to the corresponding radiating strip 6, coinciding with the one end of the latter (Figure 3), thus resulting in good power adaptation.

A titre d'exemple de mise en oeuvre pratique de l'invention, les fentes 9 pourront, pour des éléments 6 rayonnants ou récepteurs ayant une largeur W de l'ordre de 20 mm, présenter une largeur de l'ordre de 25 mm et être mutuellement séparées d'une distance de l'ordre de 6 mm, leurs longueurs correspondant à celle desdits éléments 6.As an example of practical implementation of the invention, the slots 9 may, for radiating or receiving elements 6 having a width W of the order of 20 mm, have a width of the order of 25 mm and be mutually separated by a distance of the order of 6 mm, their lengths corresponding to that of said elements 6.

Grâce à l'invention, il est donc possible de réaliser un applicateur 1 à structure plane ou cylindrique comportant plusieurs éléments 6, sous forme de bandes de faible largeur émettant ou captant. en étant couplés, à travers une fenêtre ménagée dans un écran 3 ou à travers des fentes 9 couplées, associée chacune à un élément 6 rayonnant ou récepteur. Ce capteur permet d'obtenir des performances à l'émission et à la réception nettement plus élevées que celles des dispositifs connus actuellement, tout en présentant une constitution simple et facilement réalisable.Thanks to the invention, it is therefore possible to produce an applicator 1 with a flat or cylindrical structure comprising several elements 6, in the form of narrow bands emitting or receiving. by being coupled, through a window provided in a screen 3 or through slots 9 coupled, each associated with a radiating or receiving element 6. This sensor makes it possible to obtain performance at the emission and at the reception clearly higher than those of the devices known at present, while presenting a simple constitution and easily achievable.

L'alimentation des éléments 6 rayonnants couplés ou, respectivement, des fentes 9 couplées, avec des signaux haute fréquence, notamment micro-ondes en phase, par l'intermédiaire d'un diviseur de puissance par exemple, permet d'augmenter considérablement, d'une part, la profondeur de pénétration de l'onde émise dans le milieu dissipatif à chauffer (tissus vivants) dans la zone de couplage et, d'autre part, la largeur du lobe de rayonnement entraînant une zone utile de chauffage importante (composition des champs).The supply of the coupled radiating elements 6 or, respectively, of the coupled slots 9, with high frequency signals, in particular microwave in phase, by means of a power divider for example, makes it possible to considerably increase, d on the one hand, the penetration depth of the wave emitted in the dissipative medium to be heated (living tissue) in the coupling zone and, on the other hand, the width of the radiation lobe resulting in a large useful heating zone (composition the fields).

En alimentant les éléments 6 rayonnants couplés (ou les fentes 9 couplées) avec des signaux haute fréquence, notamment micro-ondes, déphasés entre eux, le diagramme de rayonnement peut être modifié, permettant de chauffer de manière préférentielle une zone particulière située sous l'applicateur 1.By supplying the coupled radiating elements 6 (or the coupled slots 9) with high frequency signals, in particular microwaves, out of phase with one another, the radiation diagram can be modified, making it possible to preferentially heat a particular zone situated under the applicator 1.

Les diagrammes de rayonnement des applicateurs 1 conformes à l'invention peuvent être modélisés et calculés, permettant de définir structurellement et dimensionnellement les éléments 6 rayonnants ou récepteurs et/ou les ouvertures 8, 9 en fonction des résultats recherchés.The radiation diagrams of the applicators 1 in accordance with the invention can be modeled and calculated, making it possible to structurally and dimensionally define the radiating or receiving elements 6 and / or the openings 8, 9 as a function of the desired results.

Un déphasage variable au cours du temps autorise avantageusement un chauffage homogène sur une zone très large.A variable phase shift over time advantageously allows homogeneous heating over a very large area.

En ce qui concerne les mesures de température par radiométrie micro-onde, le déplacement du lobe de rayonnement par déphasage ou en utilisant successivement les deux fentes 9 permet d'effectuer un balayage radiométrique sur toute l'ouverture de l'applicateur 1, en vue d'affiner les reconstructions de profils thermiques.With regard to temperature measurements by microwave radiometry, the displacement of the radiation lobe by phase shift or by successively using the two slots 9 makes it possible to carry out a radiometric scan over the entire opening of the applicator 1, with a view to refining the reconstructions of thermal profiles.

Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux modes de réalisation décrits et représentés aux dessins annexés. Des modifications restent possibles, notamment du point de vue de la constitution des divers éléments, ou par substitution d'équivalents techniques, sans sortir pour autant du domaine de protection de l'invention.Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements, or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (12)

Applicateur à structure plane ou cylindrique, pour l'émission ou la réception de signaux haute fréquence, notamment de micro-ondes, caractérisé en ce qu'il est principalement constitué, d'une part, par une couche support (2) de substrat en un matériau diélectrique, souple ou rigide, d'autre part, par un écran (3), avantageusement sous la forme d'une couche ou d'une feuille de matériau conducteur, pourvu d'au moins une ouverture (8, 9) et disposé sur la face (5) de ladite couche support (2) tournée vers les tissus à traiter, et, enfin, par au moins deux éléments (6) rayonnants ou récepteurs, sous la forme de films ou de dépôts minces en un matériau conducteur, disposés sur la face (4) de la couche support (2) opposée à celle (5) portant l'écran (3) et alimentés de manière séparée en signaux haute fréquence ou délivrant des signaux haute fréquence captés de manière séparée.Applicator with a flat or cylindrical structure, for transmitting or receiving high frequency signals, in particular microwaves, characterized in that it is mainly constituted, on the one hand, by a support layer (2) of substrate made of a dielectric material, flexible or rigid, on the other hand, by a screen (3), advantageously in the form of a layer or a sheet of conductive material, provided with at least one opening (8, 9) and disposed on the face (5) of said support layer (2) facing the fabrics to be treated, and, finally, by at least two radiating or receiving elements (6), in the form of films or thin deposits of a conductive material , arranged on the face (4) of the support layer (2) opposite to that (5) carrying the screen (3) and supplied separately with high frequency signals or delivering separately received high frequency signals. Applicateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les éléments rayonnants (6) se présentent sous la forme de bandes séparées de faible largeur et parallèles entre elles, dont le nombre, les dimensions (L, W) et les espacements (E) peuvent être déterminés en fonction des applications envisagées.Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiating elements (6) are in the form of separate strips of small width and parallel to each other, the number, dimensions (L, W) and spacings (E) of which can be be determined based on the intended applications. Applicateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte deux éléments rayonnants (6).Applicator according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises two radiating elements (6). Applicateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que la face (5) de la couche support (2) destinée à être appliquée contre les tissus vivants ou tournée vers ces derniers, comporte une couche de protection (7), éventuellement amovible et réalisée en un matériau diélectrique, recouvrant l'écran (3) disposé sur ladite face (5).Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the face (5) of the support layer (2) intended to be applied against or facing living tissues, comprises a protective layer (7) , possibly removable and made of a dielectric material, covering the screen (3) disposed on said face (5). Applicateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que l'écran (3) comporte une ouverture (8) unique située en face des éléments (6) rayonnants ou récepteurs et contenant l'ensemble de ces derniers dans son champ.Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the screen (3) has a single opening (8) located opposite the radiating or receiving elements (6) and containing all of these in its field. Applicateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que l'écran (3) comporte autant d'ouvertures (9) que la couche support (2) porte d'éléments (6) rayonnants ou récepteurs, chacune desdites ouvertures (9) étant située en face d'un élément (6) rayonnant ou récepteur et contenant ce dernier dans son champ respectif.Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the screen (3) has as many openings (9) as the support layer (2) carries radiating or receiving elements (6), each of said openings (9) being located opposite a radiating or receiving element (6) and containing the latter in its respective field. Applicateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 et 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il présente, en outre, un plan réflecteur (10) placé à une certaine distance (h) de la face (4) de la couche support (2) portant les éléments (6) rayonnants ou récepteurs.Applicator according to either of Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that it also has a reflective plane (10) placed at a certain distance (h) from the face (4) of the support layer (2) carrying the radiating or receiving elements (6). Applicateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un moyen de refroidissement des tissus adjacents sous la forme d'une pellicule d'eau circulant dans un interstice entre l'écran (3) et la couche de protection (7).Applicator according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a means for cooling the adjacent tissues in the form of a film of water circulating in a gap between the screen (3) and the layer protection (7). Applicateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 8, caractérisé en ce que les éléments (6) rayonnants ou récepteurs sous forme de bandes sont alimentés ou connectés par l'intermédiaire de lignes conductrices (11) contiguës, chacune, à une bande (6) rayonnante ou réceptrice et composées de films ou de dépôts minces, réalisées, éventuellement, d'un seul tenant avec lesdites bandes (6) rayonnantes ou réceptrices, des embases de connexion, rapportées sur l'écran (3) et présentant chacune un conducteur isolé relié à une ligne conductrice (11), servant d'interface avec un cordon d'alimentation dudit applicateur (1).Applicator according to any one of Claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the radiating or receiving elements (6) in the form of bands are supplied or connected via conductive lines (11) contiguous, each to a band ( 6) radiating or receiving and composed of films or thin deposits, possibly produced in one piece with said radiating or receiving bands (6), connection bases, attached to the screen (3) and each having a insulated conductor connected to a conductive line (11), serving as an interface with a power cord of said applicator (1). Applicateur selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que les lignes d'alimentation présentent, au niveau de leur zone de connexion avec les bandes rayonnantes (6), une partie extrême s'élargissant progressivement en forme de coin et se raccordant continûment sur la bande rayonnante (6) correspondante en se confondant avec l'une des extrémités de cette dernière.Applicator according to claim 9, characterized in that the supply lines have, at their connection zone with the radiating strips (6), an end portion progressively widening in the form of a wedge and being continuously connected to the strip radiant (6) corresponding by merging with one of the ends of the latter. Applicateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce que les différents éléments (6) rayonnants sont alimentés avec des signaux haute fréquence en phase.Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the different radiating elements (6) are supplied with high frequency signals in phase. Applicateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce que les différents éléments (6) rayonnants sont alimentés avec des signaux haute fréquence déphasés entre eux, le ou les déphasage(s) pouvant être réglable(s) ou encore variable(s) au cours du temps.Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the different radiating elements (6) are supplied with high frequency signals which are phase-shifted between them, the phase-shift (s) being able to be adjustable or variable (s) over time.
EP94440024A 1993-04-08 1994-04-07 Flat or cylindrically structured applicator with microslot(s), for the emission or the reception of high frequency signals Withdrawn EP0619621A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9304352A FR2703871B1 (en) 1993-04-08 1993-04-08 APPLICATOR WITH A FLAT OR CYLINDRICAL STRUCTURE WITH MICRO SLOT (S), FOR TRANSMITTING OR RECEIVING HIGH FREQUENCY SIGNALS.
FR9304352 1993-04-08

Publications (1)

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EP0619621A1 true EP0619621A1 (en) 1994-10-12

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EP94440024A Withdrawn EP0619621A1 (en) 1993-04-08 1994-04-07 Flat or cylindrically structured applicator with microslot(s), for the emission or the reception of high frequency signals

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EP (1) EP0619621A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2703871B1 (en)

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
1988 INTERNATIONAL ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION SYMPOSIUM-DIGEST;6-10 juin 1988,Syracuse,US IEEE,New York,US,1988 M.J. POVINELLI: *
5E JOURNŸES NATIONALES MICROONDES,22-24 juin, 1987,Nice,FR;Université de Nice,1987 R. LEDŸE et al.: *
I.J. BAHL ET AL.: "New microstrip slot radiator for medical applications", ELECTRONICS LETTERS, vol. 16, no. 19, September 1980 (1980-09-01), STEVENAGE GB, pages 731 - 732 *

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FR2703871A1 (en) 1994-10-14

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