Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a proximal portion including a first antenna subassembly extending therethrough, and a distal portion including a second antenna subassembly. The first antenna subassembly includes a leaky-wave antenna assembly having an outer conductor and an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor. The distal portion of the device is attached to the inner conductor. The outer conductor includes a plurality of radiating apertures defined in a distal portion thereof and is configured for radiating energy substantially uniformly along a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes an inner conductor having a length and an outer conductor coaxially surrounding the inner conductor along the length. The outer conductor has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the outer conductor is provided with a number of apertures N defined therein for radiating energy, where N is an integer greater than 1, each aperture having a size and extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer conductor. At least one of the size and the angle of each aperture is varied in relation to the other apertures N?1 such that the energy radiated along the distal portion is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a monopole antenna assembly that includes a monopole antenna radiating section having a monopole antenna element surrounded by a dielectric material. The monopole antenna assembly also includes a ground plane disposed at a proximal end of the monopole antenna radiating section, wherein the ground plane is configured to direct energy into the target volume of tissue.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a helical antenna assembly that includes a helical antenna radiating section having a helical antenna element. The helical antenna assembly is capable of operating in at least one of a first mode of operation for directing energy to a first portion of the target volume of tissue and a second mode of operation for directing energy to a second portion of the target volume of tissue.

Abstract: A system for delivering electrosurgical energy, the system including a housing having an antenna attached to the distal end thereof configured to receive a microwave signal and radiate energy at two or more wavelengths and a microwave generator operably connecting to the antenna that provides the microwave signal to the antenna. The microwave generator generates a combined microwave signal containing microwave energy having at least a first and a second wavelength; wherein the at least a first and second wavelengths are capable of creating resonance in the antenna.

Abstract: A microwave system calibration apparatus including an antenna portion configured to deliver microwave energy to tissue, a transmission line portion configured to receive a microwave energy signal from a microwave source and to selectively deliver the microwave energy signal to the antenna portion and a switching mechanism connected between the antenna portion and the transmission line portion. The transmission line includes an inner conductor having a length, an outer conductor concentrically surrounding the inner conductor along the length and a dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors. The inner conductor or the outer conductor of the transmission line portion is electrically connected to the antenna. The switching mechanism is configured to electrically disconnect the transmission line portion from the antenna portion in a first condition and further configured to connect the inner conductor to the outer conductor in a second condition.

Abstract: An intermittent microwave energy delivery system for use in testing microwave energy systems and devices and for use in performing medical procedures including a microwave energy source configured to provide a continuous microwave energy signal, an energy delivery network configured to intermittently transmit a portion of the continuous microwave energy signal, a resistive load configured to dissipate the microwave energy signal; and a switching network configured to switch the continuous microwave energy signal between the microwave energy network and the resistive load. The continuous microwave energy signal is time proportioned between the energy delivery network and the resistive load.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for dissipating standing waves in a microwave energy delivery system including a microwave energy source configured to intermittently delivery microwave energy as a periodic microwave signal an energy delivery network configured to transmit the periodic microwave signal and a circuit connected between the microwave energy source and the energy delivery network. The circuit is configured to pass the periodic microwave signal from the microwave energy source to the energy delivery network when the periodic microwave signal is present and to dissipate standing waves when the periodic microwave signal is absent.

Abstract: A microwave energy delivery and measurement system, including a microwave energy source configured to delivery microwave energy to a microwave energy delivery device, a measurement system configured to measure at least one parameter of the microwave energy delivery device and a switching network configured to electrically isolate the microwave energy source and the measurement system. The measurement system is configured to actively measure in real time at least one parameter related to the microwave energy delivery device.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a microwave energy delivery device including a body, the body defining a chamber portion. The chamber portion is configured to receive a portion of a microwave energy delivery device and the body is configured to absorb energy transmitted by the microwave energy delivery device at a predetermined absorption rate.

Abstract: A microwave energy delivery and measurement system including a microwave energy source configured to delivery microwave energy, a measurement system, a switching network configured to connect the microwave energy delivery device between the microwave energy source and the measurement system, a tuner connected between the switching network and the microwave energy delivery device and a control system. The tuner adjusts the circuit impendence of the microwave energy delivery device based on a tuner control signal. The control system is configured to receive data from the measurement system, determine an impedance mismatch between the microwave energy delivery device and the microwave energy source and provide the control signal to the tuner. The measurement system includes an analog input configured to receive a first signal related to the energy delivered by the microwave energy source and an analog output configured to produce a second signal configured to drive the microwave energy delivery device.

Abstract: A microwave antenna assembly includes first and second elongated conductors, and a dielectric body portion. The first elongated conductor is associated with a first radiating portion at least partially along the length thereof. A second elongated conductor is disposed within the first elongated conductor and is associated with a second radiating portion at least partially along the length thereof. The dielectric body portion is disposed along the length of at least one of the first and second elongated conductors and the dielectric body portion includes two or more radial partition of dielectric material having difference dielectric constants.

Abstract: A polyphase electrosurgical system and method are provided. In embodiments, a radiofrequency generator having the capability of delivering a plurality of independent electrosurgical signals is disclosed. An electrosurgical instrument having an array of electrodes that correspond to the plurality of signals may be used to deliver the electrosurgical signals to tissue. In embodiments, three RF signals having a phase offset of about 120° therebetween, i.e., a three-phase configuration, may be used to achieve a balanced delivery of electrosurgical energy, which may lead to increased rates of energy delivery, improved control of tissue ablation regions, and improved operative outcomes. The phase, amplitude, and/or frequency of each signal may be independently variable in response to user inputs and/or biological parameters such as tissue impedance or return electrode current.

Abstract: Apparatuses, products, devices and methods, of manufacture consistent with the invention include optically readable media with at least one mechanism, chemical, agent, and/or process for limiting the time period that at least a portion of encoded information can be read and/or accessed by an optical beam and/or reader capable of reading the encoded information.

Abstract: A system for use with a microwave antenna includes a microwave antenna configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue and a sensor module in operative communication with the power source and configured to detect a reflectance parameter. The system further includes a jacket adapted to at least partially surround the microwave antenna to define a fluid channel between the jacket and the microwave antenna. A plurality of fluid distribution ports are defined through the jacket and are in fluid communication with the fluid channel to permit the flow of fluid through the jacket. The system further includes a fluid pumping system operably coupled to the power source and configured to selectively provide cooling fluid to the fluid channel for distribution through the fluid distribution ports based on the reflectance parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for supplying microwave energy to tissue for microwave therapy includes an electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument. The electrosurgical generator includes a microwave energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of the electrosurgical generator. The surgical instrument, coupled to the electrosurgical generator, includes a microwave antenna for delivering microwave energy from the microwave energy source. The controller of the electrosurgical generator is operable for causing the electrosurgical generator to apply at least two pulses of microwave energy.

Abstract: Apparatuses, products, and devices consistent with the invention include optically readable media with at least one substrate, at least one encoded information region and/or region for receiving and/or recording encoded information, and at least one mechanism, chemical, agent, and/or process for limiting the time period that at least a portion of the at least one encoded information region and/or region for receiving and/or recording encoded information can be read and/or accessed by an optical beam and/or reader capable of reading the encoded information.

Abstract: A data storage device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein at least the first substrate has defined thereon a plurality of pits and lands covered by a reflective material; and a bonding layer between the first and second substrates including a reactive agent that interferes with the passage of light in response to predetermined stimulus. In another embodiment, an optically-readable storage media, comprises a substrate having encoded data stored thereon, a reactive agent that, in response to predetermined stimulus, interferes with the passage of light of a predetermined frequency range, and a second reactive agent that, in response to predetermined stimulus, degrades the readability of the encoded data.

Abstract: Apparatuses, products, devices and methods of manufacture consistent with the invention include optically readable media with at least one mechanism, chemical, agent, and/or process for limiting the time period that at least a portion of encoded information can be read and/or accessed by an optical beam and/or reader capable of reading the encoded information.

Abstract: Apparatuses, products, devices and methods of manufacture consistent with the invention include optically readable media with at least one mechanism, chemical, agent, and/or process for limiting the time period that at least a portion of encoded information can be read and/or accessed by an optical beam and/or reader capable of reading the encoded information.