Abstract: A microwave ablation system and method is disclosed comprising a balloon catheter apparatus and a control system. The balloon catheter apparatus comprises a catheter configured to house a coaxial cable and one or more coolant channels, an inflatable balloon located at the distal end of the catheter, and an antenna positioned in the inflatable balloon and in communication with the coaxial cable. The control system comprises a fluid pump configured to introduce fluid into a proximal end of the catheter, a power amplifier capable of generating microwave energy for delivery to the target tissue zone for at least one energy application cycle ranging from 60 seconds to 600 seconds at a frequency ranging from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz, and a computer system configured to monitor and/or regulate the delivery of microwave energy to the target tissue, the fluid pump, at least one sensor, and antenna reflected power.

Abstract: An ice merchandiser for storing bagged ice for purchase by a customer is provided. The ice merchandiser includes a payment system structured to enable a patron to facilitate a bagged ice product transaction at the ice merchandiser, and an access control system structured to selectively provide access to the ice merchandiser during the bagged ice product transaction based on the payment system providing an indication that payment for the ice product has been validated.

Abstract: An ice merchandiser for storing bagged ice for purchase by a customer is provided. The ice merchandiser includes a payment system for facilitating a bagged ice product transaction at the ice merchandiser. The payment system includes a mass determination module structured to determine a mass of bagged ice product removed during the bagged ice product transaction and a transaction module structured to determine an amount of currency required for the bagged ice product transaction based on the determined mass of bagged ice product removed.

Abstract: A microwave ablation system and method is disclosed comprising a balloon catheter apparatus and a control system. The balloon catheter apparatus comprises a catheter configured to house a coaxial cable and one or more coolant channels, an inflatable balloon located at the distal end of the catheter, and an antenna positioned in the inflatable balloon and in communication with the coaxial cable. The control system comprises a fluid pump configured to introduce fluid into a proximal end of the catheter, a power amplifier capable of generating microwave energy for delivery to the target tissue zone for at least one energy application cycle ranging from 60 seconds to 600 seconds at a frequency ranging from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz, and a computer system configured to monitor and/or regulate the delivery of microwave energy to the target tissue, the fluid pump, at least one sensor, and antenna reflected power.

Abstract: A method and balloon catheter apparatus for tissue ablation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more central lumens, adapted for positioning in an artery; an emitter capable of emitting microwave energy positioned at the distal end; an inflatable balloon associated with the emitter at the distal end configured to allow blood to pass through the artery while the balloon is inflated; and a control system at the proximal end. The method and balloon catheter apparatus is applicable at least to renal denervation procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for patterning a substrate. A laminate of an electrically non-conductive material, an electrically conductive material, and an additional electrically non-conductive material is xerographically processed so as to leave a toner image formed upon the surface of one of the non-conductives. The non-conducive and conductive are successively removed chemically in those areas not coated by the toner, leaving a conductive pattern replica of the original toner image. Subsequent processing yields an exposed conductive pattern overlaying a non-conductive supporting substrate. Xerographic processes includes photocopying and xerographic laser imaging from a low power laser printer. The laminate may be formed in a single step or may be the product of a commercial two layer laminate coated by a standard painting or sealing process.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting an interface of a liquid in a container comprises a transmitter and a receiver of ultrasonic waves, each situated outside the container, and coupled to the wall of the container by a strip waveguide. The transmitter is arranged to cause surface acoustic waves to propagate through a portion of the wall, and the receiver is arranged to detect waves derived from the transmitter. When the liquid is adjacent to the portion of the wall, mode conversion of the surface acoustic waves in the wall of the vessel into compression waves in the liquid causes a change in the energy of waves reaching the receiver.

Abstract: The nature of the flow pattern in a pipeline carrying both a liquid and a gas depends on the flow rates of the two phases. The flow pattern is characterized by measuring the void fraction or the average density along at least one chord across the pipeline (12) and by determining the distribution of liquid around the periphery of the pipe wall. The void fraction may be measured by the absorption of gamma rays from a source (14); while the peripheral distribution may be determined from the attenuation of ultrasonic plate waves propagating through sectors of the wall between transmitters (18) and receivers (20).

Abstract: An ice detector to detect a lyaer of ice on a thin solid sheet 14, such as the skin of an aircraft wing, even in the presence of water, comprises two ultrasonic transducers attached to the sheet. The first transducer 10 is adapted to cause propagation of ultrasonic waves through the sheet 14 having their predominant component parallel to the surface of the sheet 14. Such waves will dissipate energy into an ice layer adhering to the surface, but not into air or a liquid layer. The second transducer 30 is adapted to detect the waves propagating in the sheet and to give a signal representative of their amplitude. A discriminator 34 responsive to the signal detects the presence of an ice layer on the surface.

Abstract: The invention provides ultrasonic apparatus 64 for measuring the amplitude of oscillation of a fluid. The apparatus 64 combines an ultrasonic flowmeter 60, 62, 65 which gives an indication of velocity of the fluid, with an integrating circuit 74. The integration is carried out over successive half-cycles of the oscillation, and may be arranged to give an average value of the amplitude.