Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Thomas C Winter, Iii

Fred T Lee, Jr

Lisa Ann Sampson

S Nahum Goldberg

Dieter Haemmerich

Dieter Georg Haemmerich

Andrew J Taylor

Jeffrey J Hebert

A radiofrequency ablation system provides multiple ground pads and active control of current flow through the ground pads to provide improved power sharing at the tissue near the ground pads reducing risk of patient skin burns for higher power ablation generators.

Radiofrequency ablation with independently controllable ground pad conductors

Methods of imaging a portion of a body of a patient are provided. In the methods, a contrast agent including an iso-osmotic contrast agent is administered to the patient. In a preferred embodiment, the iso-osmotic contrast agent comprises polyethylene glycol (PEG) and electrolytes, which make the PEG iso-osmotic. In a preferred embodiment, a positive contrast agent, such as an iodine-based contrast agent, is added to the PEG. The iso-osmotic contrast agent can be administered in volumes that are lower than previous contrast agents. The iso-osmotic contrast agent can be administered in combination with a positive intravenous contrast agent. At least one image of the portion of the patient's body is obtained, such as by computed tomography, after the contrast agent is administered. The methods can be used to image a pelvis, GI tract, and/or appendix of the patient. Iso-osmotic contrast agents are also provided.

Contrast agents to improve gastrointestinal tract opacification during abdominal and pelvic CT scans

Efficient ablation with multiple prong electrodes is obtained by electrically isolating the prongs from each other and rapidly switching electric power between the prongs, between a prong and a ground pad, or both. In this way, power distribution to a tumor can be controlled efficiently without the need to change probe geometry.

Radiofrequency ablation system using multiple prong probes

Growing community of inventors

Middleton, WI, United States of America

Thomas C Winter, Iii