Specific Absorption Rate Measurement and Energy-Delivery Device Characterization Using Thermal Phantom and Image Analysis
AssigneeTyco Healthcare Group LP
InventorsRonald J. Podhajsky, Jonathan A. Coe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for use in characterizing an energy applicator includes a test fixture assembly. The test fixture assembly includes an interior area defined therein. The system also includes a thermally-sensitive medium disposed in the interior area of the test fixture assembly. The thermally-sensitive medium includes a cut-out portion defining a void in the thermally-sensitive medium. The cut-out portion is configured to receive at least a portion of the energy applicator therein.
Claims20
A system for use in characterizing an energy applicator, comprising:
- a test fixture assembly including an interior area defined therein;
- a thermally-sensitive medium including a cut-out portion defining a void in the thermally-sensitive medium, the thermally-sensitive medium disposed in the interior area, the cut-out portion configured to receive at least a portion of the energy applicator therein.
A system for use in characterizing an energy applicator, comprising:
- a housing including:
- a bottom portion;
- a wall extending upwardly from the bottom portion defining an interior area configured to contain hydrogel;
- and
- a port defined in the wall configured to receive an energy applicator therethrough;
- and
- a thermally-sensitive medium including a cut-out portion defining a void in the thermally-sensitive medium, the thermally-sensitive medium disposed in the interior area, the cut-out portion configured to receive at least a portion of the energy applicator therein.
A method of determining the specific absorption rate around an energy applicator, comprising the steps of:
- providing an energy applicator including a radiating section;
- providing a thermally-sensitive medium including a cut-out portion defining a void in the thermally-sensitive medium, the cut-out portion configured to receive at least a portion of the radiating section therein;
- providing a housing having an interior area configured to contain a hydrogel, the housing including a port opening into the interior area configured to receive the energy applicator therethrough;
- positioning the thermally-sensitive medium in the interior area to substantially align a longitudinal axis of the cut-out portion with a central longitudinal axis of the port;
- positioning the at least a portion of the radiating section within the cut-out portion, wherein the energy applicator is centrally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cut-out portion;
- causing the radiating section to emit electromagnetic energy;
- capturing a series of sequential images of at least a portion of the thermally-sensitive medium;
- and
- analyzing the series of sequential images to determine a specific absorption rate around the energy applicator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.