Microwave surgical device
AssigneeNeuwave Medical, Inc.
InventorsFred T. Lee, JR., Christopher L. Brace, Paul F. Laeseke, Daniel Warren van der Weide
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical instrument or device used to decrease blood loss during surgery and/or other medical procedures. The device includes a microwave antenna housed in a handset (or laparoscopic probe) that is placed in close proximity to the tissue of interest. The device runs in the microwave spectrum and receives power from a from a microwave generator. When turned on (triggered), the device delivers microwave energy to tissue, providing a cutting or cautery effect.
Claims23
A device configured for cutting and/or cauterizing tissue, wherein said device comprises a blade configured for cutting tissue, wherein said device comprises a tool configured for cauterizing tissue through delivery of microwave energy to said tissue, wherein said tool comprises a triaxial antenna for delivering microwave energy, wherein said triaxial antenna is mounted with said blade, said triaxial antenna comprising:
- a first conductor,
- a tubular second conductor coaxially around the first conductor but insulated therefrom,
- a tubular third conductor coaxially around the first and second conductors;
- a tuning mechanism having a locked state fixedly holding the third conductor against axial movement with respect to the first and second conductors and having a unlocked state allowing axial movement between the third conductor and the first and second conductors;
- wherein the first conductor extends beyond the second conductor into tissue, when a distal end of the probe is inserted into a body for microwave ablation, to promote microwave frequency current flow between the first and second conductors through the tissue;
- and
- wherein the second conductor may be adjusted by the tuning mechanism to extend beyond the third conductor into tissue when an end of the probe is inserted into the body for microwave ablation to provide improved tuning of the probe limiting power dissipated in the probe outside of exposed portions of the first and second conductors.
A surgical device configured for cutting and/or cauterizing tissue, wherein said device comprises a blade configured for cutting tissue, wherein said device comprises a tool configured for cauterizing tissue through delivery of microwave energy to said tissue, wherein said tool comprises an antenna for delivering microwave energy, wherein said triaxial antenna is mounted with said blade, wherein the characteristic impedance for said antenna is 77 ohms, said antenna comprising:
- a first conductor,
- a tubular second conductor coaxially around the first conductor but insulated therefrom,
- a tubular third conductor coaxially around the first and second conductors;
- a tuning mechanism having a locked state fixedly holding the third conductor against axial movement with respect to the first and second conductors and having a unlocked state allowing axial movement between the third conductor and the first and second conductors;
- wherein the first conductor extends beyond the second conductor into tissue, when a distal end of the probe is inserted into a body for microwave ablation, to promote microwave frequency current flow between the first and second conductors through the tissue;
- and
- wherein the second conductor may be adjusted by the tuning mechanism to extend beyond the third conductor into tissue when an end of the probe is inserted into the body for microwave ablation to provide improved tuning of the probe limiting power dissipated in the probe outside of exposed portions of the first and second conductors.
A surgical method, comprising the steps of:
- supplying power from a microwave generator to a triaxial microwave antenna contained in a cutting device, wherein said cutting device has therein a blade, wherein said triaxial microwave antenna is mounted with said blade, said triaxial microwave antenna comprising:
- a first conductor,
- a tubular second conductor coaxially around the first conductor but insulated therefrom,
- a tubular third conductor coaxially around the first and second conductors;
- a tuning mechanism having a locked state fixedly holding the third conductor against axial movement with respect to the first and second conductors and having a unlocked state allowing axial movement between the third conductor and the first and second conductors;
- wherein the first conductor extends beyond the second conductor into tissue, when a distal end of the probe is inserted into a body for microwave ablation, to promote microwave frequency current flow between the first and second conductors through the tissue;
- and
- wherein the second conductor may be adjusted by the tuning mechanism to extend beyond the third conductor into tissue when an end of the probe is inserted into the body for microwave ablation to provide improved tuning of the probe limiting power dissipated in the probe outside of exposed portions of the first and second conductors;
- and
- placing the triaxial microwave antenna in close proximity to tissue of interest such that the tissue of interest is cauterized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.