Narrow Gauge High Strength Choked Wet Tip Microwave Ablation Antenna

An ablation system, comprising:

• a source of microwave ablation energy;
• a coaxial feedline operatively coupled to the source of microwave ablation energy, wherein the coaxial feedline includes an inner conductor, an outer conductor disposed coaxially about the inner conductor, and a dielectric disposed therebetween, wherein the inner conductor and dielectric extend beyond the outer conductor at a distal end thereof;
• a radiating section having a proximal end operably coupled to a distal end of the inner conductor;
• a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the radiating section, wherein the distal tip includes a generally cylindrical proximal tip extension having at least one o-ring disposed thereabout;
• a balun short disposed in electrical communication around the outer conductor;
• a conductive tube defined coaxially around the balun short;
• at least one fluid conduit defined longitudinally within the conductive tube;
• and
• a catheter coaxially disposed around the conductive tube, wherein a distal end of the catheter is joined to a proximal end of the distal tip to define a coolant chamber therein.

A method of manufacturing an ablation probe, comprising the steps of:

• providing a coaxial feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a dielectric disposed therebetween;
• joining a distal radiating section cylinder to a distal end of the inner conductor;
• joining a distal tip to the distal radiating section cylinder;
• positioning a balun short on the outer conductor;
• positioning at least one fluid conduit member on an outer surface of the outer conductor, wherein the conduit member is longitudinally disposed within a notch defined in the balun short;
• positioning a conductive tube around the balun short;
• and
• positioning a conduit over at least one of the balun short and coaxial feedline, wherein a distal end of the conduit is fixed to a proximal end of the distal tip.