Narrow gauge high strength choked wet tip microwave ablation antenna
AssigneeVivant Medical, Inc.
InventorsJoseph D. Brannan, Kenlyn S. Bonn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a coaxial feedline and cooling chamber is disclosed. The disclosed probe includes a dipole antenna arrangement having a radiating section, a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the radiating section, and a ring-like balun short, or choke, which may control a radiation pattern of the probe. A conductive tube disposed coaxially around the balun short includes at least one fluid conduit which provides coolant, such as dionized water, to a cooling chamber defined within the probe. A radiofrequency transparent catheter forms an outer surface of the probe and may include a lubricious coating.
Claims20
An ablation probe, comprising:
- a coaxial feedline having 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 balun short disposed in electrical communication around the outer conductor and including a first longitudinal notch and at least one second longitudinal notch defined therein;
- a conductive tube disposed coaxially around the balun short;
- and
- at least one fluid conduit defined longitudinally within the conductive tube, the fluid conduit including an inflow tube disposed longitudinally along the outer conductor and positioned at least partially within the first notch.
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 balun short disposed in electrical communication around the outer conductor and including a first longitudinal notch and at least one second notch defined therein;
- a conductive tube defined coaxially around the balun short;
- and
- at least one fluid conduit defined longitudinally within the conductive tube, the fluid conduit including an inflow tube disposed longitudinally along the outer conductor and positioned at least partially within the first notch.
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;
- positioning a balun short on the outer conductor;
- forming a notch defined longitudinally in the balun short;
- positioning at least one fluid conduit member on an outer surface of the outer conductor, wherein the conduit member is longitudinally disposed within the notch;
- positioning a conductive tube around the balun short.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.