US 8,617,153 B2 · Tunable microwave ablation probe

Abstract

An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a tunable helical antenna element is disclosed. The probe includes a coaxial feedline having an inner conductor coaxially disposed within a dielectric, and an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the dielectric. The inner conductor and dielectric extend distally beyond a distal end of the outer conductor. A helical antenna element is operably coupled to a distal end of the inner conductor. During use, the antenna may be tuned by changing at least one dimension of the helical antenna element. Embodiments are presented wherein a dimensions of the helical antenna element is changed by state change of a shape memory alloy, by a change in temperature, by activation of a piston by fluidic pressure, by linear motion of a conical tip, and by a manual screw-type adjustment.

Drawings

Search is unavailable right now. Please try again in a moment.

Claims5

Dependent claims

An ablation probe, comprising:

a dielectric;
an inner conductor coaxially-disposed within the dielectric and longitudinally movable with respect thereto, wherein the inner conductor extends distally from the dielectric;
an outer conductor coaxially-disposed around the dielectric, wherein the dielectric extends distally from the outer conductor;
a tip coupled to a distal end of the inner conductor;
a biasing member configured to bias the tip distally, wherein the biasing member includes a coil spring disposed about the inner conductor;
and
a helical antenna element coaxially-disposed about the distal extension of the dielectric and coupled at a distal end thereof to the inner conductor, wherein the helical antenna element is operable to change from a first configuration to a second configuration when the inner conductor is moved longitudinally.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tunable microwave ablation probe

Life of this patent