Claims for Patent: 8,388,613

Summary for Patent: 8,388,613

Title:	Methods and apparatus for microwave tissue welding for wound closure
Abstract:	Methods and apparatus for joining biological tissue together are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, a method for joining biological tissue together can include applying a biological solder on a wound. A barrier layer can be disposed on the biological solder. An antenna can be located in proximate spatial relationship to the barrier layer. An impedance of the antenna can be matched to an impedance of the wound. Microwaves from a signal generator can be transmitted through the antenna to weld two or more biological tissue pieces of the wound together. A power of the microwaves can be adjusted by a control circuit disposed between the antenna and the signal generator. The heating profile within the tissue may be adjusted and controlled by the placement of metallic microspheres in or around the wound.
Inventor(s):	Arndt; G. Dickey (Friendswood, TX), Ngo; Phong H. (Friendswood, TX), Phan; Chau T. (Sugar Land, TX), Byerly; Diane L. (Seabrook, TX), Dusl; John R. (Houston, TX), Sognier; Marguerite A. (Houston, TX), Carl; James R. (Houston, TX)
Assignee:	The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Washington, DC) N/A (N/A)
Application Number:	12/757,657
Patent Claims:	1. A method for joining biological tissue together comprising: applying a biological solder on a wound; disposing a barrier layer on the biological solder; locating an antenna in proximate spatial relationship to the barrier layer; matching an impedance of the antenna to an impedance of the wound; and transmitting microwaves from a signal generator through the antenna to weld two or more biological tissue pieces of the wound together, wherein a power of the microwaves is adjusted by a control circuit disposed between the antenna and the signal generator. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological solder comprises bovine serum albumin and sterile water. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises a gauze, a polyester film, a plastic sheet, or any combination thereof. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring an output power of the antenna and a power reflected back to the antenna. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the ratio between the output power and the reflected power is maintained above about 5 decibels. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising switching the antenna to a second antenna if the ratio between the output power and the reflected power is less than about 5 decibels. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the microwave has a frequency of about 2 Gigahertz to about 40 Gigahertz. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing a polymer containing metallic or other reflective particles in the wound before disposing the biological solder on the wound. 9. A method for joining biological tissue together comprising: applying a biological solder to a wound; disposing a barrier layer on the biological solder; locating an antenna in proximate spatial relationship to the barrier layer; matching an impedance of the antenna with an impedance of the wound; transmitting microwaves from a signal generator through the antenna to weld two or more biological tissue pieces of the wound together, wherein a power of the microwaves is adjusted by a control circuit disposed between the antenna and the signal generator; measuring an output power from the antenna using a power monitor in communication with the antenna; and measuring a power reflected back to the antenna using a reflected power monitor in communication with the antenna. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising increasing the output power of the antenna if the ratio between the output power and the reflected power is less than about 5 decibels. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the biological solder comprises from about 90 to about 100 grams of bovine serum albumin and about 100 milliliters of sterile water. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the microwave has a frequency of from about 2 Gigahertz to about 40 Gigahertz. 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising simultaneously welding the two or more biological tissue pieces of the wound together and killing at least a portion of any bacteria present about the wound. 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising disposing a polymer containing metallic or other reflective particles in the wound before applying the biological solder to the wound. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the biological solder comprises a polymer containing metallic or other reflective particles. 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising adjusting the impedance of the antenna to maintain the ratio between the output power from the antenna and the reflected power to the antenna to at least 5 decibels. 17. A method for joining biological tissue together comprising: applying a biological solder to a wound; disposing a barrier layer on the biological solder; locating an antenna in proximate spatial relationship to the barrier layer; matching an impedance of the antenna with an impedance of the wound; transmitting microwaves from a signal generator through the antenna to weld two or more biological tissue pieces of the wound together, wherein a power of the microwaves is adjusted by a control circuit disposed between the antenna and the signal generator; measuring an output power from the antenna using a power monitor in communication with the antenna; measuring a power reflected back to the antenna using a reflected power monitor in communication with the antenna; and adjusting the impedance of the antenna when the ratio between the output power and the reflected power is less than or equal to about 5 decibels. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the signal generator generates a microwave at a frequency of about 2 Gigahertz to about 40 Gigahertz. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a waveguide disposed between the antenna and the control circuit. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the control circuit comprises a variable attenuator in communication with a preamp and an amplifier.

Details for Patent 8,388,613

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.	ZOSTAVAX	zoster vaccine live	For Injection	125123	05/25/2006		2039-09-22