Systems for thermal-feedback-controlled rate of fluid flow to fluid-cooled antenna assembly and methods of directing energy to tissue using same

A method of directing energy to tissue using a fluid-cooled antenna assembly, comprising the steps of:

• providing an energy applicator including an antenna assembly and a coolant chamber adapted to circulate coolant fluid around at least a portion of the antenna assembly;
• providing a coolant supply system adapted to provide coolant fluid to the energy applicator, the coolant chamber fluidly-coupled to the coolant supply system;
• positioning the energy applicator in tissue for the delivery of energy to tissue when the antenna assembly is energized;
• and
• providing a thermal-feedback-controlled rate of fluid flow to the antenna assembly when energized by using a feedback control system including a processor unit configured to control a flow-control device associated with the coolant supply system based on determination of a desired fluid-flow rate using at least one electrical signal outputted from at least one temperature sensor associated with the energy applicator.