Microwave field-detecting needle assemblies, methods of manufacturing same, methods of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue using same, and systems including same
View Patent ↗A microwave field-detecting needle assembly includes a needle assembly. The needle assembly includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a junction member disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The junction member includes a recess defined therein. The needle assembly also includes a rectifier element disposed in the recess. The rectifier element includes a first terminal electrically coupled to the distal portion and a second terminal electrically coupled to the proximal portion.
1. A microwave field-detecting needle assembly, comprising:
a needle assembly including:
a distal portion configured and dimensioned for insertion into tissue;
a proximal portion;
a junction member disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the junction member including a recess defined therein; and
a rectifier element disposed in the recess and including a first terminal electrically coupled to the distal portion and a second terminal electrically coupled to the proximal portion.
2. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rectifier element is capable of converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).
3. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the rectifier element is a diode.
4. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the junction member is configured to be mechanically coupleable to at least one of the distal portion and the proximal portion.
5. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a handle assembly operably coupled to a proximal end of the needle assembly.
6. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion includes a first outer-conductor structure.
7. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first outer-conductor structure defines a first chamber portion disposed at a distal end of the first outer-conductor structure.
8. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first outer-conductor structure defines a second chamber portion disposed in communication with the first chamber portion and including an opening disposed at a proximal end of the first outer-conductor structure.
9. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first outer-conductor structure includes an end cap disposed at the distal end of the first outer-conductor structure, and wherein at least a portion of the first chamber is disposed within the end cap.
10. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion includes a second outer-conductor structure.
11. The microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second outer-conductor structure defines a longitudinally-extending chamber configured to receive an inner-conductor pin therethrough.
12. A method of manufacturing a needle assembly, comprising the steps of:
providing an inner-conductor pin including a retaining portion disposed at a distal end of the inner-conductor pin;
joining a first outer-conductor structure to the retaining portion, first outer-conductor structure configured and dimensioned for insertion into tissue;
positioning a tubular sleeve member overlying a length of the inner-conductor pin proximal to the retaining portion, the tubular sleeve member including a longitudinally-extending internal chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the inner-conductor pin therein;
joining a junction structure to a proximal end of the first outer-conductor structure, whereby the junction structure is disposed around a portion of the tubular sleeve member, the junction structure including a recess defined therein;
joining a second outer-conductor structure to a proximal end of the junction structure; and positioning a rectifier element into the recess.
13. The method of manufacturing a needle assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first outer-conductor structure defines a first chamber portion disposed at a distal end of the first outer-conductor structure.
14. The method of manufacturing a needle assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first outer-conductor structure defines a second chamber portion disposed in communication with the first chamber portion and including an opening disposed at a proximal end of the first outer-conductor structure.
15. The method of manufacturing a needle assembly of claim 12 , wherein the rectifier element is a diode.
16. The method of manufacturing a needle assembly of claim 12 , wherein the step of positioning a rectifier element into the recess includes the steps of:
electrically coupling a first terminal of the rectifier element to the first outer-conductor structure; and
electrically coupling a second terminal of the rectifier element to the second outer-conductor structure.
17. A method of manufacturing a microwave field-detecting needle assembly, comprising the steps of:
providing a handle assembly; providing a needle assembly, the needle assembly including a first outer-conductor structure configured and dimendioned for insertion into tissue, the first outer-conductor structure coupled to an inner-conductor pin, a junction structure disposed between the first outer-conductor structure and a second outer-conductor structure, and a rectifier element disposed in a recess defined in the junction structure and having a first terminal electrically coupled to the first outer-conductor structure and a second terminal electrically coupled to the second outer-conductor structure; and electrically coupling the inner-conductor pin and the second outer-conductor structure to an electric circuit disposed within the handle assembly.
18. The method of manufacturing a microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 17 , wherein the rectifier element is a diode,
19. The method of manufacturing a microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 17 , wherein the step of providing a needle assembly includes the steps of:
providing an inner-conductor pin including a retaining portion disposed at a distal end of the inner-conductor pin;
joining a first outer-conductor structure to the retaining portion;
positioning a tubular sleeve member overlying a length of the inner-conductor pin proximal to the retaining portion, the tubular sleeve member including a longitudinally-extending internal chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the inner-conductor pin therein;
joining a junction structure to a proximal end of the first outer-conductor structure, whereby the junction structure is disposed around a portion of the tubular sleeve member, the junction structure including a recess defined therein;
joining a second outer-conductor structure to a proximal end of the junction structure; and
positioning a rectifier element into the recess.
20. The method of manufacturing a microwave field-detecting needle assembly of claim 19 , wherein the step of positioning a rectifier element into the recess includes the steps of:
electrically coupling a first terminal of the rectifier element to the first outer-conductor structure; and
electrically coupling a second terminal of the rectifier element to the second outer-conductor structure.