Patent ID: 6463336
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An article of manufacture comprising an active bandage incorporating at least one pliable planar antenna that is conformable to a selected area of the skin of a patient for use in deriving a radiation pattern for therapeutically treating soft tissue of the patient underlying said selected area with pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) energy of a given frequency within a given one of the 915 MHz frequency band and the 2450 MHz frequency band radiated from said planar antenna for a purpose which includes (1) promoting improved healing of soft-tissue wounds and incisions proximate to said selected area of the skin of said patient and/or (2) enhancing the efficacy of transdermal drug delivery to said soft tissue of the patient underlying said selected area of the skin of said patient, whereinsaid pliable planar antenna comprises a pliable dielectric panel having a given dielectric constant, which panel (1) has a first metallic clad having a first given configuration of first given dimensions disposed over a back surface thereof intended to be disposed distal to said selected area of the skin and (2) has a second metallic clad having a second given configuration of second given dimensions disposed over a front surface thereof intended to be disposed proximate to said selected area of the skin, whereby said radiation pattern is determined by said first and second given configurations, the respective values of said first and second given dimensions and the value of said given dielectric constant, and the respective values of said given dielectric constant and said second given dimensions are such as to result in substantial matching of said pliable planar antenna at said given frequency.