Abstract: A device, which comprises a surface layer that has incorporated therein at least one radioactive nuclide. The surface layer is a self-assembled layer, particularly an anchored SAM that is selected from the group consisting of monolayers or films anchored by siloxane, thiol, amine or phosphonate. The surface layer may be formed of a radioactive material that has been activated to induce radioactivity therein after its final formation. The device may comprise a chemically functionalized SAM incorporating radionuclides attached at the surface of the device. The device may be a temporary or permanent therapeutic implant, such as a stent.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and kit are provided for removal of polyps, especially pursuant to colonoscopic surgery. The apparatus includes an endoscopic guide tube, a heating element, a power transmitting element traversing through the guide tube and communicating with the heating element, at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature near the polyp, and optionally an external monitor for receiving temperature data from the sensor and then activating a power source for adjusting the temperature of the heating element in a controlled manner. An operator/physician can manually set the temperature range and temperature increase rate, but preferentially this is achieved automatically through a pre-programmed computer schedule.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in vivo sensing device having a specific gravity of about 1 or a volume to weight ratio that enables it essentially to float. In one embodiment the in vivo sensing device consists of an image sensor system and a buoyant body. The buoyant body, which is attached to the sensor system or which can optionally house one or more elements of the sensor system, keeps the sensor system essentially floating in a body lumen liquid.

Abstract: Multi-lumen catheters are intended for advancement through the accessory channel on endoscope into a body passage into the gastrointestinal system. The catheters have two or more independent lumens extending continuously to ports at the distal tip for injection of a contrast medium simultaneously with a guide wire for ERCP procedures and for passage of accessories such as visualization devices, polypectomy snares, cytology brushes, papillotomes and stone baskets for catheterization, diagnosis and treatment within the biliary tract. Use of balloons for maintaining a catheter in fixed position in the biliary tract and for dilatation is also disclosed. The catheters employed are extrusions of a resin comprised of nylon and PEBA. The catheters may also be extruded from polyurethane. Multi-lumen catheters having a reduced diameter distal tip portion on which a dilatation balloon is located are also disclosed. The reduced diameter distal tip portion may serve as a platform for support of a stent.

Abstract: Multi-lumen catheters are intended for advancement through the accessory channel on endoscope into a body passage into the gastrointestinal system. The catheters have two or more independent lumens extending continuously to ports at the distal tip for injection of a contrast medium simultaneously with a guide wire for ERCP procedures and for passage of accessories such as visualization devices, polypectomy snares, cytology brushes, papillotomes and stone baskets for catheterization, diagnosis and treatment within the biliary tract. Use of balloons for maintaining a catheter in fixed position in the biliary tract and for dilatation is also disclosed. The catheters employed are extrusions of a resin comprised of nylon and PEBA. The catheters may also be extruded from polyurethane. Multi-lumen catheters having a reduced diameter distal tip portion on which a dilatation balloon is located are also disclosed. The reduced diameter distal tip portion may serve as a platform for support of a stent.

Abstract: Multi-lumen catheters are intended for advancement through the accessory channel on endoscope into a body passage into the gastrointestinal system. The catheters have two or more independent lumens extending continuously to ports at the distal tip for injection of a contrast medium simultaneously with a guide wire for ERCP procedures and for passage of accessories such as visualization devices, polypectomy snares, cytology brushes, papillotomes and stone baskets for catheterization, diagnosis and treatment within the biliary tract. Use of balloons for maintaining a catheter in fixed position in the biliary tract and for dilatation is also disclosed. The catheters employed are extrusions of a resin comprised of nylon and PEBA. The catheters may also be extruded from polyurethane. Multi-lumen catheters having a reduced diameter distal tip portion on which a dilatation balloon is located are also disclosed. The reduced diameter distal tip portion may serve as a platform for support of a stent.

Abstract: A method of electrosurgically obtaining access to the biliary tree of a patient and visualizing a duct thereof using a catheter having at least a first lumen and a second lumen defined therethrough, each lumnen terminating in an opening defined at a distal end of the catheter, the first lumen of the catheter having a needle-knife disposed therein and the second lumen of the catheter enabling infusion of a contrast medium to visualize the duct of the patient while the needle-knife remains in the first lumen of the catheter, the needle-knife having a distal end and being connected to a deployment mechanism at a proximal end of the catheter for extending and retracting the needle-knife between a deployed position and a fully sheathed position relative to the distal end of the catheter, the deployment mechanism having an adjustable stop for adjusting the distance between the distal end of the needle-knife and the distal end of the catheter, the needle-knife electrically communicating with a power source to enable

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for simultaneously deploying a first instrument while retrieving a second instrument from the distal end of a sheath and vice versa with a single stroke actuator. The actuator includes an elongated support having a provision for grasping at one end thereof, a first sliding member having provisions for grasping and which is movable in first and second directions relative to the support, and a second sliding member operably coupled to the first sliding member such that translation of the first and second sliding members is in opposite directions relative to the support. The first sliding member is connected to the first instrument and the second sliding member is connected to the second instrument.

Abstract: A method of electrosurgically obtaining access to the biliary tree of a patient and visualizing a duct thereof using a catheter having a least a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen has a needle-knife disposed therein, which knife may be moved between a deployed position and a sheathed position and is in electrical communication with a power source.

Abstract: A improved biliary catheter is disclosed. The catheter comprises a tube constructed from a polyurethane or nylon having a durometer of about 60D and coated with a hydrophilic coating to provide lubricity, kink resistance and suppleness. The tube has substantially cylindrical sidewalls and a proximal end for connection to a source of contrast medium and a distal end for entry into the common biliary duct of a patient. The tube contains a first crescent-shaped lumen channel extending between the proximal and the distal end, the first lumen channel transporting the contrast medium from the source of contrast medium to the biliary duct; and a second circular lumen channel extending between the proximal end and said distal end for facilitating the insertion and threading of a spring wire guide into the dual-lumen biliary catheter.

Abstract: A millimeter wave dual beam line scanning antenna integral with a tunable solid state oscillator is disclosed. The antenna provides two fan-shaped beams from opposite faces and when the antenna is rotated, a roughly conical shaped scan obtains. Furthermore, variation of the oscillator frequency causes a variation in radiation angle and provides two line scanning beams from opposite faces.

Abstract: A millimeter wave microstrip transmission line is coupled to a solid state echanically tunable cylindrical resonating coaxial cavity millimeter-wave oscillator by means of a probe extending linearly from the microstrip through an access slot in the cylindrical cavity wall into the zone of optimum electric field strength in the oscillator cavity to effect the translation of a TEM wave from the resonating cavity to the microstrip line at optimum power transfer and without wave mode change.

Abstract: A filter reflection image guide oscillator and a line scanning device. The device includes a brass metal heat sink base on which a dielectric waveguide is mounted. A resonant cavity is defined in the dielectric waveguide and an oscillator diode, Gunn or IMPATT, for example, is located in the resonant cavity. The resonant cavity is enclosed by a metal cover with a post which is made to extend into the resonant cavity to contact one electrode of the oscillator diode. The top surface of the waveguide includes a perturbation surface consisting of parallel and spaced metal stripes which are laterally positioned along the length of the waveguide. The spacing of the metal stripes defines the function performed by the device. When the stripes are at 1/2.lambda..sub.z spacings (.lambda..sub.z is the guide's longitudinal wavelength), a filter reflection image guide oscillator is provided and the perturbation surface is non-radiative. Only a small portion of the energy radiates out of the front of the waveguide.

Abstract: An electronic varactor tuner is integrally combined with a mechanically tuned Gunn oscillator to provide an increased tuning range in a light weight, compact, rugged combination with easily and quickly replaceable components.

Abstract: A millimeter wavelength oscillator combining a mechanically tunable resonating cavity oscillator element with an electronically tunable solid state diode element provides a basic stable steady wave energy source with fine-tuning capabilities not possible with a resonating cavity oscillator alone, and with an apparatus structure which is light in weight, compact, mechanically sturdy, and with easily accessible and quickly replaceable component parts.

Abstract: An integrated circuit tunable cavity oscillator for extremely high freque operation in image line waveguide. The oscillator includes a metal base with a cylindrical bore, a dielectric or semiconductor waveguide mounted atop the metal base and having a bore which is continuous with the metal base bore. A Gunn or IMPATT diode is assembled in the metal base bore on top of a drum which is urged upwards toward the waveguide bore by a spring located behind the drum. From above, cavity tuning means including a top disk and a threaded screw cover the waveguide bore and push the diode into the metal base bore to define the cavity height of the coaxial cavity of the oscillator. The waveform, which is set up in the recessed cavity in the metal base, is launched into the waveguide. Thus, a ruggedized, low cost, tunable (by a tuning screw) and low weight oscillator for millimeter wave image line or microstrip operation is obtained. Furthermore, the oscillator diode and cavity defining hardware are easily replaceable.

Abstract: A dual Gunn self-oscillating mixer is shown which can mix signals in the range substantially without introducing any noise and with high input signal power handling capacity and with higher output mixed signal power than conventional, owing to boosted power from more than one microwave cavity. The device is comprised of two cavities and connected by a 180.degree. phase shift coax line for injection locking, or a cavity wall hole in yet another embodiment. The device handles larger power levels without burning out as compared to conventional type mixer devices such as Schottky barrier diodes having nearly 30 times the burnout susceptibility.

Abstract: A radiation measurement means is shown which has the capability of detect radiation in both the millimeter wave, and the infrared, frequency regions. A basic self-oscillating Gunn diode is enclosed in a donut shaped silicon ring. The presence of infrared energy will create holes and electrons in the silicon material, altering its conductivity, and lower the power of oscillation. The realized drop in oscillating power identifies the infrared. Millimeter wave radiation is detected because an intermediate frequency is generated as the Gunn diode operates as a self-oscillating mixer of the new different frequency with its own oscillating frequency. Thus it is possible to detect signals from both ranges, in a single device.

Abstract: A low cost arrangement for a millimeter wave solid state diode oscillator, hich obviates precise machining and uses a dielectric transmission line associated with a resonant cavity. Coupling and impedance matching are greatly facilitated by a conductive stripe structure on the end of the dielectric transmission line, extending into the resonant cavity of the solid state oscillator. Fine tuning is provided by a mechanical slide screw. Two layers of shielding surrounding the resonant cavity are provided by a convenient package suitable for various applications of the millimeter wave oscillator wherein leakage radiation is not permitted.

Abstract: A millimeter wave line scanner is disclosed providing steered fan-shaped ms from opposite faces at substantially equal angles of a semiconductor waveguide, rectangular in cross section, and having a plurality of equally spaced metallic perturbations or strips disposed on one of the two radiating sides or faces. Different angles of scan are selectively obtained by means of at least one distributed longitudinal PIN diode formed on an adjoining side of the semiconductor waveguide having electrical circuit means coupled thereto for controlling the diode's conductivity which acts to change the guide wavelength and accordingly cause a variation in radiation angle of the two equal beams radiating from opposite faces. The waveguide with one or more PIN diodes may also be used as a phase shifter. To reduce losses, a dielectric insulating layer is disposed between each PIN diode and the waveguide, which prevents the propagation of the wave into the PIN diode.