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The radiation characteristics of multisection insulated antennas in conductive tissue are discussed. The effects of varying the diameters and lengths of the center conductors in the various sections of the antenna and the diameter and type of the insulation on the electromagnetic power deposition pattern and input impedance characteristics were examined. An approximate numerical model which calculates the current distribution and the radiation characteristics of multisection insulated antennas was developed. The numerical predictions were verified in a qualitative way experimentally by mapping the various near- and far-field components of the antennas. On the basis of these results, design tradeoffs are identified and quantified and guidelines for optimum designs are specified. In particular, it is shown that an insulation-to-center-conductor diameter ratio between 1.5 to 2.0 is optimum for uniform Teflon insulation …