Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an inverter circuit of an induction heat cooker which generates and outputs high voltage power to cook food contained in a cooking container is disclosed. The apparatus varies a pulse width of high level interval of a driving pulse according to a level of AC power supplied thereto to vary a switch current of the inverter circuit, and sufficiently secures a turn off time of the driving pulse in proportion to a resonant time varying according to states of separation of the cooking container or the heated food. Therefore, the apparatus improves stability of the switching operation and endurance. Also the apparatus requires relatively low manufacturing costs as the trigger generation is implemented with relatively low-priced amplifiers.

Abstract: A microwave oven door, and more particularly, an apparatus for shielding electromagnetic wave that compensates for the length of slots formed in an end of an oven door in order to improve the shielding ability capable of preventing the leakage of electromagnetic wave from the cavity. In the apparatus, a choke structure includes a choke base connected with an inner portion of the oven door, a choke inner side portion bent perpendicularly from the choke base and a choke top bent from the choke inner side portion to contact a front circumferential portion of an oven cavity. Slots are formed in the choke top and the choke inner side portion at a predetermined interval. Each slot is extended from a distal end of the choke top to a predetermined point of the choke inner side portion. The predetermined point is distanced the same as or smaller than the half of the width of the choke inner side portion from a joint between the choke top and the choke inner side portion.

Abstract: A method for obtaining diagnostic information about a region of a living being, the region having a medical device with a radiopaque portion disposed therein. An X-ray beam having a first energy level in excess of the K-absorption edge of the radiopaque portion of the medical device is directed at the region to obtain a first image information and radiographically locate the medical device within the living being and an X-ray beam having second energy level at or below the K-absorption edge is applied to the region to obtain a second image information.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device for performing breast biopsies and/or therapy within magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. The apparatus includes a RF receiver antenna for magnetic resonance imaging of the breast. The RF coil includes openings in the front and side to provide access to the breast during the procedure. Compression plates are integrated into the breast coil which compress the breast either laterally or in the head/feet direction as required for optimal access to the breast. The apparatus includes a mechanical device for positioning interventional instruments in the breast such as biopsy or therapy instruments. The mechanical positioning devices position the instrument along the desired trajectory to the target site and insert the instrument into the breast while the patient remains inside the MRI scanner. Real time MR images may be acquired during instrument alignment and insertion to verify the trajectory.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing non-invasive vasectomies are provided. In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a main body defining a recess and an ultrasonic transducer disposed adjacent said recess and adapted to emit ultrasonic energy into said recess. A tissue clamp is removeably disposed in the recess and is adapted to receive parallel sections of a scrotum that include a portion of the vas deferens. The clamp is further adapted to position the vas deferens within an effective distance of the ultrasonic transducer. Also, the apparatus includes means for retaining the parallel sections and the vas deferens within the clamp during a procedure.

Abstract: Electrosurgical methods and apparatus for removing tissue from a target site of a patient, the apparatus including a probe adapted for coupling to a power supply. The electrosurgical probe includes a shaft having a first electrode type and a second electrode type. The electrosurgical apparatus/probe lacks a dedicated return electrode. Instead, the first electrode type and the second electrode type alternate between serving as active electrode and serving as return electrode. The first electrode type comprises at least one ablation electrode adapted for aggressively removing tissue from a target site. The second electrode type comprises at least one digestion electrode adapted for aggressively digesting resected tissue fragments present in an aspiration stream.