Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument that can fit within, e.g. slide relative to, the hollow cable. The hollow cable provides a bipolar electrical connection to the electrosurgical instrument that is maintained when the electrosurgical instrument is rotated relative to the hollow cable. The cable may comprise a hollow coaxial transmission line having a rotatable component mounted at its distal end. The rotatable component comprises a longitudinal passageway continuous with the hollow coaxial transmission line. The rotatable component is rotatable relative to the transmission line and comprises a first and second conductive portions that are respectively electrically connected to first and second terminals on the coaxial transmission line and which are configured to maintain an electrical connection with their respective terminal when rotated relative to the coaxial transmission line.

Apparatus for dual-band antenna and communications tower comprising such apparatus are provided. The apparatus comprises a first part (202) comprising first and second propagation paths configured to selectively propagate signals of a first frequency with either a first polarization state or a second polarization state, a transition part (204) rotatable between first and second transition positions to selectively propagate signals of a second frequency along the second signal path with the first polarisation state when in the first transition position and with the second polarisation state when in the second transition position and a rotator part rotatable between first and second rotator positions. Wherein, the rotator part is configured to orientate the polarisation of signals in the second signal path in order to couple the second signal path to an interface, and allow propagation of signals in the first signal path in either the first or second rotator positions.

A rotary joint includes a first part and a second part configured to rotate around a rotation axis against the first part. The first part has a first magnetic core, a sliding brush, and a capacitive data link component. The second part has a second magnetic core for coupling power with the first magnetic core, a sliding track for galvanic coupling with the sliding brush, and a second capacitive data link component to transfer data from and/or to the first capacitive data link component. To weaken magnetic stray fields from the magnetic core, the rotary joint is a disc-type rotary joint, and the sliding track is arranged radially between the second magnetic core and the second capacitive data link component.

A rotary-type data transmission device is provided. The rotary-type data transmission includes a first structure having a first surface and a second surface facing each other and including a first metal hollow waveguide including a first through hole passing through the second surface from the first surface in a center portion thereof, a second structure coupled to the first structure to support rotation of the first structure or to support rotation by the first structure, a first transceiver facing the first surface at a certain distance therebetween, coupled to the first structure, and including a first printed circuit board, a first meta waveguide, and a first transceiver, and a second transceiver facing the second surface at a certain distance therebetween, coupled to the second structure, and including a second printed circuit board, a second meta waveguide, and a second transceiver.

A rotary-type data transmission device is provided. The rotary-type data transmission includes a first structure having a first surface and a second surface facing each other and including a first metal hollow waveguide including a first through hole passing through the second surface from the first surface in a center portion thereof, a second structure coupled to the first structure to support rotation of the first structure or to support rotation by the first structure, a first transceiver facing the first surface at a certain distance therebetween, coupled to the first structure, and including a first printed circuit board, a first meta waveguide, and a first transceiver, and a second transceiver facing the second surface at a certain distance therebetween, coupled to the second structure, and including a second printed circuit board, a second meta waveguide, and a second transceiver.

A coupler provides a high speed datalink between rotating parts and comprises a circular channel, enclosing a hollow-cylindric volume, and at least two antennas. The circular channel is made of electrically conductive material and includes an inner ring, an outer ring rotatable against the inner ring, and two sidewalls on the sides of the rings. An inner antenna is mechanically coupled to the inner ring and an outer antenna is mechanically coupled to the outer ring. The antennas are configured to establish a microwave signal connection between them based on multiple reflections of an electromagnetic wave at the rings.

A vehicle having a communication system is disclosed. The system includes two electrical couplings, coupled by way of a rotary joint having a bearing waveguide. Each electrical coupling includes an interface waveguide configured to couple to external signals. Each electrical coupling also includes a waveguide section configured to propagate electromagnetic signals between the interface waveguide and the bearing waveguide of the rotary joint. Additionally, the rotary joint is configured to allow one electrical coupling to rotate with respect to the other electrical coupling. An axis of rotation of the rotary joint is defined by a center of a portion of the waveguides. Yet further, the rotary joint allows electromagnetic energy to propagate between the waveguides of the electrical couplings.

Radio Frequency (RF) systems configured to implement full-duplex wireless data transfer for rotary joints are disclosed. An example RF system includes a 60 GHz short distance communication link implemented using elliptically (e.g., circularly) polarized antennas. Such a system may provide a mm-wave, high-speed, wideband wireless communication link in a manner that is associated with simpler design and operation, mechanical integrity, and reduced power consumption, compared to alternative solutions.

Electrical instrument for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, comprising: a distal part comprising an instrument tip for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, the instrument tip comprising first and second conductive elements; a coaxial feed cable comprising an inner conductor, a tubular outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor, and dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, the coaxial feed cable being for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to the distal part; wherein: the inner conductor is electrically connected to the first conductive element and the outer conductor is electrically connected to the second conductive element through a rotatable connection between the distal part and the coaxial feed cable that allows rotation of the distal part relative to the coaxial feed cable; and the instrument comprises an actuator for rotating the distal part in a first rotational direction relative to the feed cable.

A wireless slip ring, system and method for transmission of data across a rotatable junction can be provided to permit transmission of data from a fixed element to a rotating element across a rotary interface. The wireless slip ring can provide high bandwidth multi-channel data transmission, for example each channel can have a bandwidth greater than 1 gigabit per second. Each channel may include a plurality of input/output data streams that can be serialized by a digital electronic circuit for transmission across the slip ring and then deserialized into its respective data streams. The wireless slip ring can form an annular chamber to act as a wave guide for the wireless signal for providing a continuous conductive covering around the annular chamber to act as a faraday shield to contain radio frequency emissions and prevent external jamming.