Leaky-Wave Antennas for Medical Applications

A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue, comprising:

• a dual antenna assembly including a proximal portion and a distal portion;
• the proximal portion of the dual antenna assembly including a first antenna assembly extending therethrough, wherein the first antenna assembly includes a leaky-wave antenna assembly including an inner conductor and an outer conductor disposed around the inner conductor, wherein the outer conductor includes a plurality of apertures defined in at least a distal portion thereof and configured for radiating energy substantially uniformly along a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion of the dual antenna assembly, wherein each aperture has an aperture size associated therewith, wherein the aperture size of each aperture is varied in relation to the other apertures such that the energy radiated along a longitudinal axis of at least the distal portion of the outer conductor is substantially uniform;
• and
• the distal portion of the dual antenna assembly including a second antenna assembly.