Other

The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the

United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

Vincent G Karasack

G Dickey Arndt

James R Carl

George W Raffoul

Antonio Pacifico

Carl F Pieper

Walter M Whybrew

William Edward Clark

George C Harrison

Jay D Warshowsky

Joey D Sartin

An interconnect device for connecting components of high frequency communication systems, including RF and phased array applications. The device is capable of carrying RF and microwave signals between pairs of components and includes an outer conducting tube and an insulated conducting wire disposed within the tube. The outside diameter of the insulated wire is less than the inside diameter of the tube allowing movement of the wire relative to the tube. As a result of this movement, the longitudinal axis of the wire may vary from the longitudinal axis of the tube resulting in a &ldquo;sloppy coax&rdquo; interconnect. The ability of the wire to move within the tube facilitates installation and replacement of the wire when required.

Sloppy coax interconnect for low cost RF and phased array applications

Method and apparatus are provided for propagating microwave energy into heart tissues to produce a desired temperature profile therein at tissue depths sufficient for thermally ablating arrhythmogenic cardiac tissue to treat ventricular tachycardia and other arrhythmias while preventing excessive heating of surrounding tissues, organs, and blood. A wide bandwidth double-disk antenna (,) is effective for this purpose over a bandwidth of about six gigahertz. A computer simulation provides initial screening capabilities for an antenna such as antenna, frequency, power level, and power application duration. The simulation also allows optimization of techniques for specific patients or conditions. In operation, microwave energy between about 1 Gigahertz and 12 Gigahertz is applied to monopole microwave radiator (,) having a surface wave limiter (,). A test setup provides physical testing of microwave radiators (,) to determine the temperature profile created in actual heart tissue or ersatz heart tissue (,). Saline solution (,) pumped over the heart tissue (,) with a peristaltic pump (,) simulates blood flow. Optical temperature sensors (,) disposed at various tissue depths within the heart tissue (,) detect the temperature profile without creating any electromagnetic interference. The method may be used to produce a desired temperature profile in other body tissues reachable by catheter (,) such as tumors and the like.

In vivo simulator for microwave treatment

Method and apparatus are provided for propagating microwave energy into heart tissues to produce a desired temperature profile therein at tissue depths sufficient for thermally ablating arrhythmogenic cardiac tissue to treat ventricular tachycardia and other arrhythmias while preventing excessive heating of surrounding tissues, organs, and blood. A wide bandwidth double-disk antenna (700) is effective for this purpose over a bandwidth of about six gigahertz. A computer simulation provides initial screening capabilities for an antenna such as antenna, frequency, power level, and power application duration. The simulation also allows optimization of techniques for specific patients or conditions. In operation, microwave energy between about 1 Gigahertz and 12 Gigahertz is applied to monopole microwave radiator (600) having a surface wave limiter (606). A test setup provides physical testing of microwave radiators (854) to determine the temperature profile created in actual heart tissue or ersatz heart tissue (841). Saline solution (872) pumped over the heart tissue (841) with a peristaltic pump (862) simulates blood flow. Optical temperature sensors (838) disposed at various tissue depths within the heart tissue (841) detect the temperature profile without creating any electromagnetic interference. The method may be used to produce a desired temperature profile in other body tissues reachable by catheter (510) such as tumors and the like.

Transcatheter antenna for microwave treatment

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Melbourne, FL, United States of America

Vincent G Karasack