Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling microwave antennas are disclosed herein. The cooling systems can be used with various types of microwave antennas. One variation generally comprises a handle portion with an elongate outer jacket extending from the handle portion. A microwave antenna is positioned within the handle and outer jacket such that cooling fluid pumped into the handle comes into contact directly along a portion of the length, or a majority of the length, or the entire length of the antenna to allow for direct convective cooling. Other variations include cooling sheaths which form defined cooling channels around a portion of the antenna. Yet another variation includes passively-cooled systems which utilize expandable balloons to urge tissue away from the surface of the microwave antenna as well as cooling sheaths which are cooled through endothermic chemical reactions. Furthermore, the microwave antennas themselves can have cooling lumens integrated directly therethrough.

Abstract: Various high-strength microwave antenna assemblies are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. Antenna rigidity comes from placing distal and proximal radiating portions in a pre-stressed state, assembling them via threaded or overlapping joints, or fixedly attaching an inner conductor to the distal portion. The inner conductor is affixed to the distal portion by, e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, or by adhesives. A junction member made from a hard dielectric material, e.g., ceramic, can be placed between the two portions and can have uniform or non-uniform shapes to accommodate varying antenna designs. Electrical chokes may also be used to contain returning currents to the distal end of the antenna.

Abstract: An incendiary grenade's casing has a fuze with a portion extending into the casing. Thermite disposed in the casing encases the portion of the fuze that extends into the grenade casing. Insulating material is disposed in the casing adjacent to the thermite. Layers of a titanium-boron intermetallic and an oxidizer are disposed in the casing. One layer of the titanium-boron intermetallic is adjacent to the layer of insulating material. This one layer of the titanium-boron intermetallic and a layer of the oxidizer adjacent thereto have a common-axis hole formed therethrough that is aligned with the portion of the fuze. A separating material is disposed at each interface between the titanium-boron intermetallic and the oxidizer.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering toxin and toxin fragments to a patient's nasal cavity provide for both release of the toxin and delivery of energy which selectively porates target cells to enhance uptake of the toxin. The use of energy-mediated delivery is particularly advantageous with light chain fragment toxins which lack cell binding capacity.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling microwave antennas are disclosed herein. The cooling systems can be used with various types of microwave antennas. One variation generally comprises a handle portion with an elongate outer jacket extending from the handle portion. A microwave antenna is positioned within the handle and outer jacket such that cooling fluid pumped into the handle comes into contact directly along a portion of the length, or a majority of the length, or the entire length of the antenna to allow for direct convective cooling. Other variations include cooling sheaths which form defined cooling channels around a portion of the antenna. Yet another variation includes passively-cooled systems which utilize expandable balloons to urge tissue away from the surface of the microwave antenna as well as cooling sheaths which are cooled through endothermic chemical reactions. Furthermore, the microwave antennas themselves can have cooling lumens integrated directly therethrough.

Abstract: The invention is an explosively formed projectile (EFP). On detonation of an explosive charge, an explosively formed projectile is formed from two separate metal elements, an open-poled dished liner and a cavitation pin. The open-poled dished liner is made of a metal more dense than a metal of the cavitation pin. The cavitation pin lies on the open-poled dished liner longitudinal axis and in contact therewith. The cavitation pin has a truncated right conical shape with a base diameter to length ratio of 0.7:1 to 1.5:1. The ratio of the open-poled dished liner diameter:cavitation pin fore portion major base diameter is 2:1 to 4:1. Upon detonation, the cavitation pin leads the explosively forged liner in the explosively formed projectile assembly. The leading pin causes cavitation in water resulting in an increase in the velocity of the explosively formed projectile.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling microwave antennas are disclosed herein. The cooling systems can be used with various types of microwave antennas. One variation generally comprises a handle portion with an elongate outer jacket extending from the handle portion. A microwave antenna is positioned within the handle and outer jacket such that cooling fluid pumped into the handle comes into contact directly along a portion of the length, or a majority of the length, or the entire length of the antenna to allow for direct convective cooling. Other variations include cooling sheaths which form defined cooling channels around a portion of the antenna. Yet another variation includes passively-cooled systems which utilize expandable balloons to urge tissue away from the surface of the microwave antenna as well as cooling sheaths which are cooled through endothermic chemical reactions. Furthermore, the microwave antennas themselves can have cooling lumens integrated directly therethrough.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue includes a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue. The applicator includes one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to the tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue includes a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer. The controller is configured so that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling microwave antennas are disclosed herein. The cooling systems can be used with various types of microwave antennas. One variation generally comprises a handle portion with an elongate outer jacket extending from the handle portion. A microwave antenna is positioned within the handle and outer jacket such that cooling fluid pumped into the handle comes into contact directly along a portion of the length, or a majority of the length, or the entire length of the antenna to allow for direct convective cooling. Other variations include cooling sheaths which form defined cooling channels around a portion of the antenna. Yet another variation includes passively-cooled systems which utilize expandable balloons to urge tissue away from the surface of the microwave antenna as well as cooling sheaths which are cooled through endothermic chemical reactions. Furthermore, the microwave antennas themselves can have cooling lumens integrated directly therethrough.

Abstract: An ablation device includes an antenna assembly having a radiating portion configured to deliver energy from a power source to tissue. The radiating portion has an outer conductor and an inner conductor. The inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor. The device also includes an imaging device operably coupled to the radiating portion. The imaging device is configured to generate imaging data corresponding to tissue proximate the radiating portion of the antenna assembly.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for improving characteristic peak signals in electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) measurements of crystalline materials. A beam scanning protocol is applied which varies the inclination, azimuthal angle, or a combination thereof of the incident beam while spectroscopic data is acquired. The method and system may be applied to compositional mapping.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to glycosyl hydrolase enzymes, compositions comprising such enzymes, and methods of using the enzymes and compositions, for example for the saccharification of cellulosic and hemicellulosic materials into sugars.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering microwave energy to skin are provided, such that a focal zone of destructive heat is generated in the upper sub-dermis, mid-dermis, and/or lower dermis. This microwave therapy may be used for hair removal, treatment of acne, skin tightening, treatment of toe nail fungus, or sweat reduction. According to one embodiment, a system can include a microwave applicator having a distal treatment portion that includes at least one microwave antenna, a cooling system, and vacuum features. In some embodiments, the interaction between incident waves transmitted from the microwave applicator and reflected waves may be used to generate a standing wave with a peak energy density in selected regions of the dermis.

Abstract: An energy applicator for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating section operably coupled to the feedline, wherein the radiating section has a length. The energy applicator also includes a length adjustment member adapted to allow for selective adjustment of the length of the radiating section.

Abstract: Various high-strength microwave antenna assemblies are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. Antenna rigidity comes from placing distal and proximal radiating portions in a pre-stressed state, assembling them via threaded or overlapping joints, or fixedly attaching an inner conductor to the distal portion. The inner conductor is affixed to the distal portion by, e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, or by adhesives. A junction member made from a hard dielectric material, e.g., ceramic, can be placed between the two portions and can have uniform or non-uniform shapes to accommodate varying antenna designs. Electrical chokes may also be used to contain returning currents to the distal end of the antenna.

Abstract: A mobile floor standing console with a wheeled base, a lower rack mounted on the base, an upper rack extending vertically from the lower rack, a first articulating arm that is configured to extend outward away from the upper rack and collapse inward toward the upper rack, a second articulating arm that is configured to extend outward away from the upper rack and collapse inward toward the upper rack, a video camera attached to the second articulating arm, and a tablet personal computer attached to the first articulating arm; the console configured to be readily mobilized on the floor of an existing operating room and is capable of providing a connectivity point for communication, audiovisual, and data transfer services in the operating room.

Abstract: An tissue interface module has an applicator chamber on a proximal side of the tissue interface module and a tissue acquisition chamber on a distal side of the tissue interface module. The applicator chamber may include: an opening adapted to receive the applicator; an attachment mechanism positioned in the applicator chamber and adapted to attach the tissue interface module to the applicator; a sealing member positioned at a proximal side of the applicator chamber; and a vacuum interface positioned at a proximal side of the applicator chamber and adapted to receive a vacuum inlet positioned on a distal end of the applicator. The invention also includes corresponding methods.

Abstract: An ablation device includes an antenna assembly having a radiating portion configured to deliver energy from a power source to tissue. The radiating portion has an outer conductor and an inner conductor. The inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor. The device also includes an imaging device operably coupled to the radiating portion. The imaging device is configured to generate imaging data corresponding to tissue proximate the radiating portion of the antenna assembly.

Abstract: An energy applicator for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating section operably coupled to the feedline, wherein the radiating section has a length. The energy applicator also includes a length adjustment member adapted to allow for selective adjustment of the length of the radiating section.

Abstract: A microwave antenna having a curved configuration is described herein. The antenna portion is formed into various shapes whereby the antenna substantially encloses, by a partial or complete loop or enclosure, at least a majority of the tissue to be irradiated. When microwave energy is delivered through the antenna, the curved configuration forms an ablation field or region defined by the curved antenna and any tissue enclosed within the ablation region becomes irradiated by the microwave energy. The microwave antenna is deployed through one of several methods, and multiple curved antennas can be used in conjunction with one another. Moreover, RF energy can also be used at the distal tip of the antenna to provide a cutting tip for the antenna during deployment in tissue.