834 results about "Radio frequency energy" patented technology

A radio frequency tissue ablation system with a radio frequency generator, the generator comprising a radio frequency source, at least four independently controllable radio frequency outputs, a user interface and a controller configured to delivery radio frequency energy from the radio frequency source to the radio frequency outputs in one of at least two different output configurations in response to a configuration selection made through the user.

Skin treating devices and systems for delivering RF electromagnetic energy to the skin. The devices include one or more electromagnetic RF generating units, multiple RF electrode groups and a controller for controllably applying RF energy to the skin through any selected RF electrode group or any selected RF electrode group combination selected from the multiple groups. The electrodes may be stationary and/or movable electrodes. Different RF frequencies and/or frequency bands may be used. The alternation of energy application through different electrode groups at different times, and/or the changing of the inter-electrode distance and configuration by using movable RF electrodes may reduce or prevent electrode overheating, control RF energy distribution within the skin and enable use of the devices and/or for different skin treating applications.

A novel medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two probe assemblies, and one or more cooling devices to provide cooling to at least one of the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies may be configured in a bipolar mode, whereby current flows preferentially between the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies and system described herein are particularly useful to deliver radio frequency energy to a patient's body. RF energy delivery may be used for various applications, including the treatment of pain, tumor ablation and cardiac ablation.

Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include a first body member including a first shape memory material configured to transform the annuloplasty ring from a first configuration having a first size of a dimension to a second configuration having a second size of the dimension. The second size is less than said first size in septal lateral distance. The devices also include a second body member including a second shape memory material configured to transform the annuloplasty ring from the second configuration to a third configuration having a third size of the dimension, wherein the second size is less than the third size in septal lateral distance.

An ablation catheter including an inner tube having a length, a distal end and a longitudinal axis, a plurality of needles extending from the distal end of the inner tube and biased away from the longitudinal axis, an outer sheath slideably moveable relative to the inner tube to surround at least a portion of the length of the inner tube and its extending needles, and a radio frequency energy source electrically connected to the plurality of needles.

An RFID reader for use in a security system based upon RFID techniques. The RFID reader can use power line carrier communications to communicate with the controllers in the security system. The RFID reader of the security system can be provided with multiple modulation techniques, multiple antennas, and the capability to vary its power level and carrier frequency. The controller of the security system determines which RFID readers may transmit, at what times, and the parameters with which to transmit. The RFID reader can detect interference or jamming, and respond. The RFID reader can transmit RF energy useful for detecting motion or for charging the batteries in RFID transponders. The RFID reader can receive wireless communications from active transmitters or from other RFID readers.

A system for controlling an electrosurgical generator using a full bridge topology is disclosed. The system includes a high voltage direct current power source which supplies power and a radio frequency output stage which receives power from the high voltage direct current power source and outputs radio frequency energy at a predetermined radio frequency set point. The system also includes one or more sensors which determine one or more parameters of radio frequency energy being applied to tissue and a microprocessor configured to receive one or more parameters and outputs the predetermined radio frequency set point to the radio frequency output stage as a function of one or more of the parameters of radio frequency energy.

A method is provided for ablation in treatment of heart arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation that includes positioning a catheter apparatus with multiple electrodes within a cardiac chamber, visualizing the catheter apparatus with an interventional system, navigating the catheter apparatus within the cardiac chamber, and delivering energy to selected electrodes of the catheter apparatus from an external source to ablate heart tissue at select locations. Preferably, the external source is an external patch placed on the patient for the delivery of radio-frequency energy. The electrodes of the catheter apparatus are connected to the patch through a patient interface unit where the interface unit selects the electrodes to which radio-frequency energy is to be delivered. In another aspect of the invention, a system for ablation of heart arrhythmias is provided that has a catheter apparatus with multiple electrodes, an interventional system for visualizing the catheter apparatus within a cardiac chamber, and an external source for delivering energy to selected electrodes of the catheter apparatus within the cardiac chamber to ablate heart tissue. Preferably, the system further includes a digital imaging system for obtaining cardiac image data, an image generation system for generating a 3D model of the cardiac chamber from the cardiac image data, and a workstation for registering the 3D model with the interventional system and for visualizing the catheter apparatus over this registered 3D model upon the interventional system.

Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include a body member including a ferromagnetic shape memory material. The body member has a first size of a dimension in a first configuration and a second size of the dimension in a second configuration. The body member is configured to be implanted into a heart so as to reinforce a cardiac valve annulus in the first configuration. The body member is configured to transform from the first configuration to the second configuration in vivo in response to a magnetic field. The body member in the second configuration is configured to reduce a size of the cardiac valve annulus.

A control system for electrosurgical apparatus in which the energy delivery profile of both RF EM radiation and microwave EM radiation delivered to a probe is set based on sampled voltage and current information of RF energy conveyed to the probe and/or sampled forward and reflected power information for the microwave energy conveyed to and from the probe. The energy delivery profile for the RF EM radiation is for tissue cutting (without requiring a sharp blade) and the energy delivery profile for the microwave EM radiation is for haemostasis or sealing or coagulation or ablation of tissue. The RF EM radiation and microwave EM radiation may be applied separately or simultaneously.

A susceptor composition that can bond two or more layers or substrates to one another and that can be used to coat or cut a substrate. The susceptor composition is activated in the presence of radio frequency (RF) energy. In one embodiment, the susceptor composition of the present invention comprises at least one ionomer and a polar carrier. The ionomer and polar carrier are blended with one another and form a mixture, preferably a uniform mixture. The ionomer and polar carrier are present in an amount effective to allow the susceptor composition to be heated by RF energy. Also disclosed are RF induction heating systems.

An antenna system that is insensitive to the surface on which it is mounted for use with a RFID tag having a wireless communication device, including a plurality of conductive tabs coupled to the wireless communication device for receiving and radiating radio frequency energy. At least two of the tabs are substantially identical in shape and coupled to the wireless communication device at feedpoint differing in location on each of the two tabs wherein the width of said at least two of said plurality of tabs taken transverse to the longitudinal centerline axis of each tab varies with distance along the longitudinal centerline axis of each of said tabs from its feedpoint. Alternatively, the wireless communication device is coupled to the tab at a feedpoint selected at a location differing on each of the tabs where the conducting area per unit length of the longitudinal centerline axis of each tab varies with distance along the longitudinal centerline axis of each of said tabs from its feedpoint. A radio frequency reflecting structure is coupled to the conductive tabs for reflecting radio frequency energy radiated therefrom. A dielectric material is located intermediate the conductive tabs and the radio frequency reflecting means.

A method of producing liquid hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing rock in situ in a geological formation begins with exploring the formation by drilling a plurality of boreholes into the formation and taking core samples of the hydrocarbon-bearing rock and at least one overburden layer. Electrical parameters of the hydrocarbon-bearing rock and the overburden layer are determined, as well as a roughness of a boundary between the hydrocarbon-bearing rock and the at least one overburden layer. These electrical parameters are used to construct a computer model of a portion of the hydrocarbon-bearing rock and at least one overburden layer, the computer model based upon modeling the formation as a rough-walled waveguide. This computer model is used to simulate propagation of radio frequency energy within the hydrocarbon-bearing rock, including simulation of radio frequency wave confinement within the hydrocarbon-bearing rock, at several frequencies and temperatures. A frequency for retorting is selected based upon simulation results. Radio frequency couplers are installed into at least one borehole in the hydrocarbon-bearing rock and driven with radio frequency energy to heat the hydrocarbon-bearing rock. As the rock heats, it releases carbon compounds and these are collected.

The system of the invention includes a method for monitoring changes in the status or condition of a Container using one or more monitoring units mounted to the Container. The monitoring units preferably include a power supply, sensors using reflective energy with programmable parameters, globally-unique sensor identification, recording capability on a timeline, long term memory and the ability to rebroadcast information on RFID radio technology. Programmable monitoring hardware in the monitoring unit detects significant changes in the sensor outputs as a triggering event. The programmable monitoring hardware includes memory for storing identification information for the Container. The sensors which can include conventional devices that detect various forms of energy including visible light, infrared light, magnetic fields, radio frequency energy and sound. In one embodiment, a monitoring unit is mounted inside a shipping Container suitable for long distance transport. The triggering event can be used for tamper detection security.

This invention discloses ionization sputtering apparatuses which have a function for ionizing sputtered particles. Those apparatuses comprise an ionization means for ionizing sputtered particles from a target. The ionization means generates a plasma by applying radio frequency energy with plasma generation gas at an ionization space between the target and a holder holding a substrate. An disclosed apparatus comprises a magnetic device preventing the plasma from diffusing from the ionization space. Another disclosed apparatus comprises a magnetic device which orients the ionized sputtered particles toward the substrate.

A device, method, and system for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms is described, where the device is an endovascular graft implant that one or more adjustable elements. The adjustable elements provide improved performance, for example, reduced leaking. The adjustable elements are adjustable within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. Examples of suitable types of energy include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy, and magnetic energy.