Abstract: The present disclosure teaches subtractive methods, additive methods, and hybrid additive/subtractive methods of forming a compact phased array antenna. In ore embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of forming a compact phased array antenna that includes milling a plurality of spaced-apart antenna elements by removing material of a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) structure, the multilayer PCB structure including a base dielectric layer and a plurality of stacked dielectric layers laminated together to form a unitary structure; forming a plurality of via holes in the base dielectric layer and adjacent the antenna elements; and depositing conductive material on the base dielectric layer and antenna elements.

Abstract: A wire-guided esophageal bougie comprises a PTFE-lined, silicone rubber tube with a tapered, silicone rubber dilator on its distal end, the dilator being more flexible than the PTFE-lined tube. Radiopaque material throughout the length of the tube renders it fluoroscopically visible in the esophagus while a radiopaque ring in the dilator fluoroscopically locates the position of the dilator relative to a stricture.