Abstract:
The invention provides for an inexpensive plotter/digitizer which can be attached to existing drafting boards of varying sizes. The device uses flexible links, such as cables. Length, speed, and tension of the links is monitored by sensors. The speed, accuracy, and line quality of plotting are improved by reduction of the weight of moving components and mechanical simplification of the drive mechanism. Trajectory Control for more than two link drives for prescribed two-dimensional motion is described together with Stationary Control which maintains required tension on cables. Microprocessor controlled, multimode operation of individual drives is indicated.
Abstract:
A tissue hyperthermia system and method improves temperature monitoring and control along an energy emitter such as an RF electrode. A two-phase heat transfer system includes a material within an enclosed vessel that is thermally coupled to the electrode. Energizing the electrode to an operating condition emits energy into tissue and heats at least to a threshold temperature wherein the material undergoes a phase transformation within the vessel between a liquid phase and a vapor phase. The phase change assists in cooling, monitoring, and control of emitter temperature. Algorithms estimate maximum temperature either at the emitter or in tissue adjacent the emitter based on monitored parameters at the vessel. Multivariate algorithms use simultaneous power and temperature readings to estimate actual regional temperature, including electrode or tissue hot-spot temperature. A multivariate algorithm is based in particular upon time-dependent aspects of a pulsed RF operating mode. The multi-variate algorithms benefit temperature monitoring and control either together with the two-phase heat transfer system or with other more conventional devices.
Abstract:
A cardiac ablation apparatus including a solenoidal antenna, monitoring electrodes, and a coupling network at a distal end of a catheter transmission line, and another coupling network at the proximal end of the catheter transmission line to connect the catheter to the source of radiofrequency (RF) power and to an intracardiac electrogram monitor. Solenoidal antenna design includes single and multiple windings with varying geometrical features. Plated plastic tri-axial design of a transmission line offers unitary fabrication. A catheter with variable impedance electrode and gap coatings has features useful for both ablation and for hyperthermia applications.
Abstract:
Radiofrequency (RF) heating applicator, located at the distal end of a coaxial line catheter, produces deeper and more uniform heat dissipation. The active applicator element is a conductor helix fed via the coaxial line. The applicator has provisions for interception of intracardiac electrogram signal. A cardiac ablation system using the above catheter, ablates cardiac tissue responsible for ventricular tachycardia. The ablation system provides means to monitor intracardiac electrograms and to control the RF power. A variation of the helical applicator can be used in a hyperthermia system for treatment of malignant tumors.
Abstract:
A cardiac ablation apparatus including a solenoidal antenna, monitoring electrodes, and a coupling network at a distal end of a catheter transmission line, and another coupling network at the proximal end of the catheter transmission line to connect the catheter to the source of radiofrequency (RF) power and to an intracardiac electrogram monitor. Solenoidal antenna design includes single and multiple windings with varying geometrical features. Plated plastic tri-axial design of a transmission line offers unitary fabrication. A catheter with variable impedance electrode and gap coatings has features useful for both ablation and for hyperthermia applications.
Abstract:
The invention provides a thermal design of a catheter where the active electrode is partially covered by a heat conducting and electrically insulating heat-sink layer for localizing and controlling an electrical heating of tissue and cooling of the active electrode by convective blood flow. The invention further comprises a current equalizing coating for gradual transition of electrical properties at a boundary of a metallic active electrode and an insulating catheter tube. The current equalizing coating controls current density and the distribution of tissue heating.
Abstract:
The invention provides a thermal design of a catheter where the active electrode is partially covered by a heat conducting and electrically insulating heat-sink layer for localizing and controlling an electrical heating of tissue and cooling of the active electrode by convective blood flow. The invention further comprises a current equalizing coating for gradual transition of electrical properties at a boundary of a metallic active electrode and an insulating catheter tube. The current equalizing coating controls current density and the distribution of tissue heating.
Abstract:
Liquid metal gallium-filled balloon catheter is connected to a source of heating power. An improved method of hyperthermia and ablation is made possible by ease of insertion and conformity to complex intracavitary geometry by liquid metal. Closeness of gallium melting point to body temperature makes insertion of solid gallium possible and subsequent melting after insertion. Method of balloon ablation of endometrium is described.
Abstract:
The invention provides an intracavitary ultrasonic scanner with a helical scan. Mechanical and electronic steerable array implementations of the helical scan are described. A plastic cover sheath, filled with coupling fluid, covers the probe of the scanner. Portions of probe are porous allowing the coupling fluid to penetrate to the outside of the sheath. An improved polar coordinate decoding system provides an accurate control of the scan and allows storage of scan information in voxel memory.
Abstract:
Piezopolymer actuator, wound in a bifilar fashion on two pins, is operated in a compressive mode without buckling. In addition to constraining motion of the winding along the surface of the pins, the pins also provide wide area electrical contacts with conductive electrodes on the surfaces of the piezopolymer strip. The electrodes consist of a thin film of metallization coated with graphite. Graphite coating heals microcracks in metallization, adds body to the piezopolymer strip, and lubricates winding-pin interfaces. Modular linear arrays of actuators are readily built from a single strip of piezopolymer. Linear array modules are in turn clamped together to form a two-dimensional array. Typical application is a tactile array for the blind.