Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating small parts comprises an electroplating bath for holding an electrolyte and electroplating anodes. The apparatus includes a container having at least one screened parts compartment for holding the parts to be electroplated, and incorporates an electrically conductive screen as its base portion, on which the parts are settled. The conductive screen is adaptable to be connected to the negative pole of a power supply to function as the cathode. A pump circulates freshly ionized electrolyte into the parts compartment and directs a flow of the electrolyte to periodically tumble the parts in the parts compartment. Thereafter, the parts are shaken by a shaker to level the parts to maximize the surface and electrical contact between the parts and the screen when they are settled on the screen. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the container can be of perforated panel construction.

Abstract: An improved radio-frequency catheter system for ablating biological tissues of a body vessel in a patient including a catheter, a deployable antenna guide disposed at the distal portion of the catheter and a radio-frequency (“RF”) antenna mounted on the antenna guide. The RF antenna includes a helical coil which defines an axial passageway to accommodate the antenna guide, and is adapted to receive and transmit RF energy for tissue ablation. Upon deployment, the antenna guide acquires a loop configuration which establishes line contact with the body vessel conformable to its internal contour to prescribe the precise and affixed tissue ablation pathway despite body vessel movements. The RF antenna is carried by the antenna guide to be deployed along the established tissue ablation pathway. Alignment of the loop with the desired tissue ablation pathway is facilitated with the use of radio-opaque markers and intracardiac electrodes mounted along the antenna guide.