IP Library Granted Patent US 8,334,812
Granted Patent B2
US 8,334,812 · App. 12/542,785 · Granted Dec 18, 2012

Microwave ablation antenna radiation detector

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,334,812
App. No.
12/542,785
Granted
Dec 18, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A radiation detector is disclosed. The radiation detector is disposed on a microwave antenna assembly. The radiation detector includes a receiving antenna adapted to receive microwave energy. The receiving antenna includes a first tubular antenna member and a second tubular antenna member disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis defined by the microwave antenna assembly. The detector also includes at least one rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna adapted to rectify at least a portion of the microwave energy and a filter coupled to the at least one rectifier and adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal.

Claims (46)

1. A radiation detector disposed on a microwave antenna assembly, the radiation detector comprising:

a receiving antenna adapted to receive microwave energy, the receiving antenna including a first tubular antenna member and a second tubular antenna member disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis defined by the microwave antenna assembly, wherein the receiving antenna includes:

a hub configured to couple the microwave antenna assembly to a microwave generator; and

a cooling system that circulates a coolant fluid through the antenna assembly and wherein the first and second tubular antenna members are disposed about the hub;

at least one rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna adapted to rectify at least a portion of the microwave energy; and

a filter coupled to the at least one rectifier and adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal.

2. The radiation detector according to claim 1 , wherein the hub is formed from a dielectric material and the first and second tubular antenna members are formed from a conductive material.

3. The radiation detector according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second tubular antenna members are separated by a gap.

4. The radiation detector according to claim 1 , wherein the least one rectifier is coupled to the first and second tubular antenna members across the gap.

5. The radiation detector according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one rectifier is a diode.

6. The radiation detector according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a light-emitting device coupled to the filter, the light-emitting device adapted to operate when the detection signal is above a predetermined threshold signal.

7. The radiation detector according to claim 1 , wherein the filter includes a capacitor, an inductor and a resistor coupled in series or parallel.

8. The radiation detector according to claim 1 , wherein first tubular antenna member is coupled to a cable connector.

9. The radiation detector according to claim 1 , wherein the second tubular antenna member includes a hub portion having a first diameter and an extended portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter.

10. A microwave antenna assembly, comprising:

a hub configured to couple the microwave antenna assembly to a microwave generator and a cooling system that circulates a coolant fluid through the antenna assembly;

a radiating section coupled to the hub through a feedline; and

a radiation detector disposed about the hub, the radiation detector including:

a receiving antenna adapted to receive microwave energy, the receiving antenna including a first tubular antenna member and a second tubular antenna member disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the hub, the first and second tubular antenna members having a predetermined gap defined therebetween;

at least one rectifier coupled to the first and second tubular antenna members across the gap and adapted to rectify at least a portion of the microwave energy; and

a filter coupled to the at least one rectifier and adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal.

11. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the hub is formed from a dielectric material and the first and second tubular antenna members are formed from a conductive material.

12. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one rectifier is a diode.

13. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 10 , further comprising:

a light-emitting device coupled to the filter, the light-emitting device adapted to operate when the detection signal is above a predetermined threshold signal.

14. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the filter includes a capacitor, an inductor and a resistor coupled in series or parallel.

15. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 10 , wherein first tubular antenna member is coupled to a cable connector.

16. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the second tubular antenna member includes a hub portion having a first diameter and an extended portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter.

17. A microwave antenna assembly, comprising:

a hub configured to couple the microwave antenna assembly to a cable connector and a cooling system that circulates a coolant fluid through the antenna assembly;

a radiating section coupled to the hub through a feedline; and

a radiation detector disposed about the hub, the radiation detector comprising:

a receiving antenna adapted to receive microwave energy, the receiving antenna including a first tubular antenna member and a second tubular antenna member disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the hub, the first and second tubular antenna members having a predetermined gap defined therebetween, wherein the first tubular antenna member is coupled to the cable connector and the second tubular antenna member includes a hub portion and an extended portion extending over at least a portion of the radiating section;

at least one rectifier coupled to the first and second tubular antenna members across the gap and adapted to rectify at least a portion of the microwave energy; and a filter coupled to the at least one rectifier and adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal.

18. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 17 , further comprising:

a light-emitting device coupled to the filter, the light-emitting device adapted to operate when the detection signal is above a predetermined threshold signal.

19. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 17 , wherein the filter includes a capacitor, an inductor and a resistor coupled in series or parallel.

20. A radiation detector disposed on a microwave antenna assembly, the radiation detector comprising:

a receiving antenna adapted to receive microwave energy, the receiving antenna including a first tubular antenna member and a second tubular antenna member disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis defined by the microwave antenna assembly, wherein the first and second tubular antenna members are separated by a gap;

at least one rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna adapted to rectify at least a portion of the microwave energy, wherein the least one rectifier is coupled to the first and second tubular antenna members across the gap; and

a filter coupled to the at least one rectifier and adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal.

21. A radiation detector disposed on a microwave antenna assembly, the radiation detector comprising:

a receiving antenna adapted to receive microwave energy, the receiving antenna including a first tubular antenna member and a second tubular antenna member disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis defined by the microwave antenna assembly, wherein the second tubular antenna member includes a hub portion having a first diameter and an extended portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter;

at least one rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna adapted to rectify at least a portion of the microwave energy; and

a filter coupled to the at least one rectifier and adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2016
From: VIVANT MEDICAL LLC
To: COVIDIEN LP
Reel/Frame 038250/0869 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 030982 FRAME 599. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME OF VIVANT MEDICAL, INC. TO VIVANT MEDICAL LLC. Recorded Nov 30, 2015
From: VIVANT MEDICAL, INC.
To: VIVANT MEDICAL LLC
Reel/Frame 037172/0176 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 8, 2013
From: VIVANT MEDICAL, INC.
To: VIVANT LLC
Reel/Frame 030982/0599 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2013
From: VIVANT LLC
To: COVIDIEN LP
Reel/Frame 030982/0606 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 18, 2009
From: BRANNAN, JOSEPH D.
To: VIVANT MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 023110/0118 →