Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimally invasive treatment of deep subcutaneous fat deposits in lieu of cosmetic surgery is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator connected to two or more needle electrodes at least one of which is configured for placement deeply under the skin in a treatment site of the patient's body. High voltage pulses, delivered to the electrodes, create an electric field that kills subcutaneous fat cells.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for emergency administration or self-administration of thrombolytic therapy in early stage of a heart attack. The apparatus includes a needle injector for making a venipuncture, a battery operated micro cooler for maintaining low temperature environment for vials with lyophilized thrombolytic and adjuvant drugs, a container with a diluent for reconstitution of the lyophilized drugs, a programmable infusion pump, and a microprocessor for controlling the process of infusion and recording the data. As the system is activated, said container becomes fluidly communicable with the infusion pump and vials with drugs in the cooler. Designed for autonomous execution of several schedules of infusion, it also can be controlled remotely by a qualified operator via an Internet interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilization of aneurysm is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet radiation generator for generating UV radiation having a wavelength, strongly absorbed by the DNA and a catheter including means for delivering the ultraviolet radiation to the aneurysm. The distal end of the catheter is placed inside the aneurysm. Stabilization of the aneurysm is achieved by forming a mural arterial thrombus inside the aneurysm. To make irradiation possible, the blood is displaced from the aneurysm by a steady stream of UV radiation transparent fluid. The injury to the endothelium that triggers the thrombus formation is caused by UV radiation delivered to the aneurysm. In several days after intervention the thrombus becomes fully organized, leaving on the inside surface of the aneurysm a thick layer of fibrotic tissue that stabilizes the aneurysm.

Abstract: A cathode for a miniature X-ray device includes an insulating shell, a cathode and an anode. The cathode includes a focusing cup formed into an end. The focusing cup can include a thin metal layer that conforms to an inner surface of the cathode. An emitting material having a low work function, such as diamond, is deposited directly onto the internal surface of the focusing cup. The anode has a flat receiving surface for collecting electrons emitted from the anode. An interior coating is applied as a circumferential belt on the interior surface of the insulating shell. The interior coating, formed of a negative secondary emission yield material, extends lengthwise in the region of the cathode to an anode gap, covering the region of the insulating shell most likely to be subject to stray electrons emitted from the cathode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia is disclosed wherein the apparatus includes an applicator having a probe having proximal and distal probe sections wherein the proximal and distal probe sections each define an axis and wherein the axes are not collinear.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for emergency administration or self-administration of thrombolytic therapy in early stage of a heart attack. The apparatus includes a needle injector for making a venipuncture, a battery operated micro cooler for maintaining low temperature environment for vials with lyophilized thrombolytic and adjuvant drugs, a container with a diluent for reconstitution of the lyophilized drugs, a programmable infusion pump, and a microprocessor for controlling the process of infusion and recording the data. As the system is activated, said container becomes fluidly communicable with the infusion pump and vials with drugs in the cooler. Designed for autonomous execution of several schedules of infusion, it also can be controlled remotely by a qualified operator via an Internet interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasive treatment in lieu of cosmetic surgery is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a combination of a high and low voltage pulse generators connected to two or more electrodes placed on a treatment site of the patient's body. High voltage pulses, delivered to the electrodes, create an electric field that kills subcutaneous fat cells. Low voltage pulses, delivered to the same or individual electrodes provide transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), blocking the signals of discomfort or pain that may arise from the high voltage pulsing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilization of aneurysm is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet radiation generator for generating UV radiation having a wavelength, strongly absorbed by the DNA and a catheter including means for delivering the ultraviolet radiation to the aneurysm. The distal end of the catheter is placed inside the aneurysm. Stabilization of the aneurysm is achieved by forming a mural arterial thrombus inside the aneurysm. To make irradiation possible, the blood is displaced from the aneurysm by a steady stream of UV radiation transparent fluid. The injury to the endothelium that triggers the thrombus formation is caused by UV radiation delivered to the aneurysm. In several days after intervention the thrombus becomes fully organized, leaving on the inside surface of the aneurysm a thick layer of fibrotic tissue that stabilizes the aneurysm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing non-invasive treatment of the human face and body by electroporation in lieu of cosmetic surgery is provided. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator and an applicator having two or more electrodes in close mechanical and electrical contact with the patient's skin for applying the pulses to the patient's skin. The applicator may consist of two pieces with one electrode having a sharp tip and another having a flat surface. High voltage pulses delivered to the electrodes create at the tip of the sharp electrode an electric field high enough to cause death of relatively large subcutaneous fat cells by electroporation. Moving the electrode tip along the skin creates a line of necrotic subcutaneous fat cells, which later are metabolized by the body. Multiple applications of the electrode along predetermined lines on the face or neck create shrinkage of the skin and the subcutaneous fat volume underlying the treated area.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for providing a stabilized x-ray output from a field emission x-ray apparatus by monitoring the operating current and adjusting the gap between the anode and cathode to stabilize the output.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimally invasive treatment of deep subcutaneous fat deposits in lieu of cosmetic surgery is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator connected to two or more needle electrodes at least one of which is configured for placement deeply under the skin in a treatment site of the patient's body. High voltage pulses, delivered to the electrodes, create an electric field that kills subcutaneous fat cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasive treatment in lieu of cosmetic surgery is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a combination of a high and low voltage pulse generators connected to two or more electrodes placed on a treatment site of the patient's body. High voltage pulses, delivered to the electrodes, create an electric field that kills subcutaneous fat cells. Low voltage pulses, delivered to the same or individual electrodes provide transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), blocking the signals of discomfort or pain that may arise from the high voltage pulsing.

Abstract: An emitter for a miniature X-ray apparatus comprises an insulating shell, an anode, and a cathode. The insulating shell includes a conical brazing surface, brazed to a conical brazing surface on the anode. The braze consists of a pure titanium layer and a pure tin layer. During brazing, the pure metals react and bond to the insulating shell and create a titanium-tin alloy between the pure layers. Pure tin is sputtered from tin sputter target onto the exposed brazing surfaces of the cathode cap and the anode. The insulating shell is placed in a vacuum chamber of deposition applicator, which deposits an active metal onto the shell brazing surface. In a brazing oven, the anode is placed within insulating shell such that the anode conical brazing surface and the shell conical brazing surface are contacting and aligned with each other. During brazing, the cathode is brought into contact with the insulating shell. The sealed emitters are placed in a sputtering machine's vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An emitter for a miniature X-ray apparatus comprises an insulating shell, an anode, and a cathode. The insulating shell includes a conical brazing surface, brazed to a conical brazing surface on the anode. The braze consists of a pure titanium layer and a pure tin layer. During brazing, the pure metals react and bond to the insulating shell and create a titanium-tin alloy between the pure layers. Pure tin is sputtered from tin sputter target onto the exposed brazing surfaces of the cathode cap and the anode. The insulating shell is placed in a vacuum chamber of deposition applicator, which deposits an active metal onto the shell brazing surface. In a brazing oven, the anode is placed within insulating shell such that the anode conical brazing surface and the shell conical brazing surface are contacting and aligned with each other. During brazing, the cathode is brought into contact with the insulating shell. The sealed emitters are placed in a sputtering machine's vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are disclosed. The apparatus includes an applicator piece carrying a set of electrodes shaped and positioned to create a substantial electric field in the volume of hyperplasia and a pulse generator adapted for delivery of electrical pulses above the upper electroporation limit for the neoplastic cells. The amplitude, duration and number of the electrical pulses are generally selected to cause necrosis of a significant fraction of the volume of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The apparatus may include a high frequency system for heating the prostatic tissue and a cooling system for cooling the urethra. The combined action of heating and cooling may increase the temperature of the prostate cells to 45° C. to 55° C., while keeping the urinary tract at a temperature 15° C. to 20° C.

Abstract: A cathode for a miniature X-ray device includes an insulating shell, a cathode and an anode. The cathode includes a focusing cup formed into an end. The focusing cup can include a thin metal layer that conforms to an inner surface of the cathode. An emitting material having a low work function, such as diamond, is deposited directly onto the internal surface of the focusing cup. The anode has a flat receiving surface for collecting electrons emitted from the anode. An interior coating is applied as a circumferential belt on the interior surface of the insulating shell. The interior coating, formed of a negative secondary emission yield material, extends lengthwise in the region of the cathode to an anode gap, covering the region of the insulating shell most likely to be subject to stray electrons emitted from the cathode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an X-ray device is described including the step of coupling a housing that includes diamond to an anode structure that includes diamond. Further, a target metal may be formed on a tip of the anode structure. An X-ray device is also described including a housing made of diamond, a cathode within the housing, and an anode structure that includes diamond. The anode structure may include conductive diamond, while the housing structure may include high resistivity diamond.

Abstract: An emitter for a miniature X-ray apparatus comprises an insulating shell, an anode, and a cathode. The insulating shell includes a conical brazing surface, brazed to a conical brazing surface on the anode. The braze consists of a pure titanium layer and a pure tin layer. During brazing, the pure metals react and bond to the insulating shell and create a titanium-tin alloy between the pure layers. Pure tin is sputtered from tin sputter target onto the exposed brazing surfaces of the cathode cap and the anode. The insulating shell is placed in a vacuum chamber of deposition applicator, which deposits an active metal onto the shell brazing surface. In a brazing oven, the anode is placed within insulating shell such that the anode conical brazing surface and the shell conical brazing surface are contacting and aligned with each other. During brazing, the cathode is brought into contact with the insulating shell. The sealed emitters are placed in a sputtering machine's vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A miniature thermoelectric cooling device for storing small amounts of thermally unstable substances, like drug vials with insulin for diabetic patients or protein based drugs for thrombolytic therapy, is disclosed. A solar energy collector coupled with a rechargeable battery is provided as the energy source. The miniature cooler is small enough to be belt-carried at all time by a person, whose life or health depends on the drugs. When switched to a heating mode, the thermoelectric device can temporarily elevate the temperature of the drug to a body temperature thus providing comfortable conditions for the injection. A combined solar-and-battery power supply allows keeping an article in the cooler at low temperatures around o'clock at all times during substantially long travels in hot or tropical conditions where even short term exposure to surrounding temperatures can destroy the potency of the drug.

Abstract: An insulating housing shell for a miniature x-ray emitter is provided. The housing shell is cut from a quartz monocrystal which is a suitable material for the insulating housing shell due to its resistivity and dielectric strength properties. The x-ray emitter can be inserted into a subject's body to deliver x-ray radiation. The emitter includes a cable, having a proximal and a distal portion. The insulating housing shell is coupled to the distal portion of the cable, and an anode and a cathode are disposed within the insulating housing shell. The cathode has a granular surface and is operative with the anode and the connector to produce the x-ray radiation. The cathode is composed of a material that also allows it to act as a getter.