Reinforced high strength microwave antenna
View Patent ↗High-strength microwave antenna assemblies and methods of use are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. Proximal and distal radiating portions of the antenna assembly are separated by a junction member. A reinforcing member is disposed within the junction member to increase structural rigidity.
1. A microwave antenna assembly, comprising:
a radiating portion configured to operably couple to a source of microwave energy via a cable assembly, the radiating portion comprising:
a proximal radiating portion including an outer conductor coaxially disposed around an inner conductor, the inner and outer conductors separated by a dielectric material; and
a distal radiating portion disposed distally of the proximal radiating portion, the inner conductor longitudinally extending at least partially within the distal radiating portion;
a choke disposed proximal of the proximal radiating portion;
a cooling fluid chamber coaxially disposed around the outer conductor and configured to receive cooling fluid therein; and
a thermocouple disposed within the radiating portion and configured to sense temperature within the radiating portion.
2. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a second thermocouple configured to sense temperature of tissue local to the radiating portion.
3. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the thermocouple is disposed within the cooling fluid chamber.
4. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the thermocouple is configured to sense a temperature of cooling fluid within the cooling fluid chamber.
5. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the thermocouple is disposed proximal of the distal radiating portion.
6. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the thermocouple includes a blunt distal tip.
7. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the thermocouple extends distally at least partially along a longitudinal length of the radiating portion and terminates in a thermocouple junction.
8. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the thermocouple is at least partially disposed within the inner conductor.
9. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a junction member having a longitudinal thickness, wherein at least a portion of the junction member is disposed between the proximal and distal radiating portions such that the inner conductor longitudinally extends therethrough.
10. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 9 , further comprising a reinforcing member disposed longitudinally at least partially within the junction member and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the inner conductor to provide increased stiffness to the junction member.
11. A microwave ablation system, comprising:
a source of microwave energy configured to generate microwave energy;
a microwave antenna assembly operably coupleable to the source of microwave energy, the microwave antenna assembly comprising:
a radiating portion configured to deliver microwave energy to tissue, the radiating portion comprising:
a proximal radiating portion including an outer conductor coaxially disposed around an inner conductor, the inner and outer conductors separated by a dielectric material;
a distal radiating portion disposed distally of the proximal radiating portion, the inner conductor longitudinally extending at least partially within the distal radiating portion; and
a choke disposed proximal of the proximal radiating portion;
a cable assembly configured to operably couple the microwave antenna assembly to the source of microwave energy;
a cooling fluid chamber coaxially disposed around the outer conductor and configured to receive cooling fluid therein; and
a thermocouple disposed within the radiating portion and configured to sense temperature within the radiating portion.
12. The microwave ablation system according to claim 11 , wherein the cable assembly includes a connector assembly disposed on one end thereof configured to operably couple the cable assembly to the source of microwave energy.
13. A microwave antenna assembly, comprising:
a radiating portion configured to operably couple to a source of microwave energy via a cable assembly, the radiating portion comprising:
a proximal radiating portion including an outer conductor coaxially disposed around an inner conductor, the inner and outer conductors separated by a dielectric material and longitudinally extending at least partially within the proximal radiating portion;
a distal radiating portion disposed distally of the proximal radiating portion, the inner conductor longitudinally extending at least partially within the distal radiating portion; and
an electrically conductive member coaxially disposed around at least the inner conductor;
a cooling fluid chamber coaxially disposed around the outer conductor and configured to receive cooling fluid therein; and
a thermocouple disposed within the radiating portion and configured to sense temperature within the radiating portion.