Microwave ablation catheter with loop configuration

An apparatus comprising:

• a flexible catheter member including a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the flexible catheter being configured to be inserted into a first vessel of a patient and to exit a second vessel of the patient;
• an elongated ablation member coupled between the distal portion and the proximal portion of the flexible catheter member, the elongated ablation member having a flexibility greater than or equal to the flexibility of the distal portion and the proximal portion of the flexible catheter member and configured to be positioned within the body of the patient by manipulating the distal portion and/or the proximal portion of the catheter while the distal portion is exited from the second vessel;
• a transducer coupled to the elongated ablation member, the transducer configured to generate an electromagnetic field capable of causing tissue ablation;
• and
• a transmission line coupled to the transducer through the flexible catheter member and the elongated ablation member, the transmission line further configured to provide power to the transducer so that the transducer can generate the energy field with sufficient power to cause the tissue ablation.

An apparatus comprising:

• a flexible catheter member including a first distal portion and a first proximal portion, the first distal portion of the flexible catheter being configured to be inserted into a first vessel of a patient and to exit a second vessel of the patient;
• an elongated ablation member coupled between the first distal portion and the first proximal portion of the flexible catheter member, the elongated ablation member having a second distal portion coupled to the first distal portion and a second proximal portion coupled to the first proximal portion of the flexible catheter member, the second distal portion being more flexible than the first distal portion and the second proximal portion being more flexible than the first proximal section, the elongated ablation member being further configured to be positioned within the body of the patient by manipulating the first distal portion at the second vessel of the patient and/or the first proximal portion of the catheter at the first vessel of the patient while the distal portion is exited from the second vessel of the patient;
• a transducer coupled between the second distal portion and the second proximal portion of the elongated ablation member, the transducer configured to generate an electromagnetic field capable of causing tissue ablation;
• and
• a transmission line coupled to the transducer through the flexible catheter member and the elongated ablation member, the transmission line further configured to provide power to the transducer so that the transducer can generate the electromagnetic field with sufficient power to cause the tissue ablation.