Kenneth D Carr

US Patent:

6424869, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Jan 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/476201

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Carr - Harvard MA
James F. Regan - Waltham MA

Assignee:

Meridian Medical Systems, LLC - Ayer MA

International Classification:

A61N 502

US Classification:

607101, 607102, 607113, 607156

Abstract:

A dual mode transurethral warming apparatus particularly adapted to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia includes a urethral catheter dimensioned for insertia through the urethra. The catheter includes an elongated flexible tube having a plurality of longitudinal lumens extending between the ends of the tube. A coaxial cable extends along one of the lumens to an antenna in the form of a multi-turn helical winding wound around the outside of the tube. A first connector connects one of the cable conductors to one end of the winding and a second connector connects the other cable conductor to the other end of the winding so that the antenna formed by the winding is larger in diameter than the cable, and all of the lumens are located within the winding. The cable is connected to a control and display unit which includes a transmitter which provides electromagnetic energy via the cable to the antenna so that the antenna generates an electromagnetic field sufficient to treat tissue adjacent the antenna. The same antenna also detects thermal energy emitted by the tissue thereby developing an electrical signal which is fed via the cable to a receiver in the form of a radiometer in the control and display unit.

US Patent:

6496738, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Feb 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/777971

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Carr - Harvard MA 01451

International Classification:

A61F 700

US Classification:

607101, 607102, 604114

Abstract:

Microwave heating apparatus for heating fluid or tissue includes an elongated catheter for placement adjacent to high/dielectric high loss organic fluid or tissue in a patient. The catheter has a distal end and a proximal end and includes an antenna adjacent to the distal end and a cable having one end connected to the antenna and a second end. A transmitter provides a transmitter signal capable of heating the fluid or tissue and a first receiver receives a first signal indicative of thermal radiation from a first depth in the fluid or tissue, producing a first output signal in response thereto. There is also a second receiver for receiving a second signal indicative of thermal radiation from a second depth in the fluid or tissue, producing a second output signal in and response thereto. The apparatus also includes active and passive diplexers connected in series between the transmitter and the second end of the cable. A controller controls the active diplexer so that when the transmitter is transmitting, the first signal is coupled to the passive diplexer but not to the second receiver and when the transmitter is not transmitting, a second signal from the passive diplexer is coupled to the second receiver but not to the transmitter.

US Patent:

6587732, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Dec 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/980536

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Carr - Harvard MA 01451

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

607102, 128898, 219679, 219687, 219692, 219710

Abstract:

Heat treatment apparatus for inactivating viruses in blood products includes a series of tubing coils with connectors at the opposite ends of the series for connecting the tubing to a blood product source and a blood product destination. The apparatus also includes a microwave heating chamber arranged to receive the first coil of the series and a cooling chamber adapted to receive the second coil of the series. Microwave energy is supplied to the heating chamber for heating the blood product as it flows along the first coil from an initial temperature to an elevated temperature and the cooling chamber is cooled so that the blood product in the second coil is cooled to a selected temperature appreciably below the elevated temperature. A radiometer circuit is provided for monitoring the temperatures of the blood product in the first and second coils to produce first and second temperature signals in response thereto. A controller responds to these temperature signals by controlling the energy producing means to impart a selected time/temperature profile to the blood product flowing through the tubing and to deliver that product at a selected delivery temperature.

US Patent:

46864989, Aug 11, 1987

Filed:

Apr 15, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/723304

Inventors:

Kenneth Carr - Harvard MA
Arthur A. Blaisdell - Ashland MA

Assignee:

M/A-COM, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

H01P 104

US Classification:

333260

Abstract:

A coaxial connector having a pair of members, each of substantially the same construction, and each including means at an outer side thereof for receiving a first coax cable and means at an inner side thereof defining a section of waveguide. In each member there is a transition means that intercouples the coax cable and the section of waveguide. The pair of members are supported together by a support means and there is further provided alignment means for holding the sections of waveguide in alignment.

US Patent:

RE337919, Jan 7, 1992

Filed:

Dec 22, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/455289

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Carr - Harvard MA

Assignee:

M/A-COM, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

A61N 502
G01J 500

US Classification:

374122

Abstract:

A non-invasive temperature monitoring apparatus used in association with a guided wave member that may be for the purpose of sterilization and that is adapted for microwave heating of a substance that is absorptive at microwave frequencies and that is held in some type of container or connector that is transparent at microwave frequencies. The apparatus comprises a length of waveguide. A coupling aperture is defined in the guided wave member. The length of waveguide is supported with one end thereof about the coupling aperture. A microwave radiometer detection circuit is also coupled from the length of waveguide for detecting on a continuing basis the temperature of the substance which is usually liquid being heated by the microwave energy.

US Patent:

53643364, Nov 15, 1994

Filed:

Sep 23, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/126106

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Carr - Harvard MA

Assignee:

Microwave Medical Systems, Inc. - Littleton MA

International Classification:

A61N 502

US Classification:

600 2

Abstract:

A microwave radiator formed of a radioactive substance and adapted to simultaneously deliver microwave energy and nuclear radiation to living tissue. The radiator is incorporated into an interstitial or intracavitary probe. The radiator is a helical electrical conductor, formed of a radioactive substance such as iridium. sup. 192, and electrically connecting a central electrical conductor to a coaxial electrically-conducting jacket.

US Patent:

48154792, Mar 28, 1989

Filed:

Aug 13, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/896020

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Carr - Harvard MA

Assignee:

M/A COM, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

A61N 502

US Classification:

128804

Abstract:

A system and associated method that combines microwave detection (radiometry) with microwave heating (hyperthermia) for the treatment of cancer with a microwave radiometric detector is operable during a receive mode of operation to establish signal path characteristics and a microwave transmitter is operable during a transmit mode of operation to carry out the hyperthermia treatment. There is provided an antenna array of a plurality antennae disposed over the tumor site. These antennae are coupled to separate signal channels. During the receive mode of operation the separate channel signals are combined for coupling to the microwave radiometric detector to enable adjustment of the phase of the separate antenna signals so as to maximize the signal detected at the microwave radiometric detector. Thereafter, during the transmit mode of operation the microwave transmitter couples signals to the signal channels to provide beam focusing of the microwave energy on to the tumor site.

US Patent:

59192186, Jul 6, 1999

Filed:

Jan 30, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/380815

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Carr - Harvard MA

Assignee:

Microwave Medical Systems - Littleton MA

International Classification:

A61F 712
A61L 212
A61M 136

US Classification:

607100

Abstract:

A fluid flow cartridge for seating in an opening into a microwave heating cavity comprises a tubing support having an electrically conductive surface dimensioned to substantially close that opening and an elongated bobbin portion projecting from that surface. The cartridge also includes a selected length of tubing wound around the bobbin portion to form a coil, opposite end segments of the tubing extending from the coil through the conductive support surface and away from said support. Preferably, the coil has straight tubing segments on opposite sides of the coil spaced apart one quarter wavelength or integral multiple thereof at the operating frequency of the heating cavity.