Patent ID: 8853600

Claim:
A handheld applicator configured to direct therapeutic microwave energy toward an epidermal surface, comprising: a housing having a distal end adapted to be placed on a skin surface; a rectangular microwave waveguide disposed in the housing and extending towards the distal end of the housing, the microwave waveguide having an open aperture end configured to deliver microwave energy, the open aperture end being positioned within the housing so as to be set off from the skin surface when the distal end of the housing is placed on the skin surface; a dielectric element disposed in the housing and extending beyond the open aperture end of the microwave waveguide, the dielectric element being configured to spread an electric field distribution of delivered microwave energy exiting the microwave waveguide; a coolant source disposed in the housing and configured to dispense a coolant to cool the skin surface; and a temperature sensor disposed on or in the housing and configured to sense a temperature change at the skin surface.