Microwave ablation antenna radiation detector
A radiation detector disposed on a microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The radiation detector includes a receiving antenna adapted to receive errant microwave energy and a rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna that is adapted to rectify at least a portion of the errant microwave energy. A filter is coupled to the rectifier and is adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal.
1. A method for detecting microwave energy, the method comprising:
receiving microwave energy at a receiving antenna coupled to a microwave antenna assembly;
rectifying at least a portion of the microwave energy through a rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna;
filtering the rectified microwave energy through a filter coupled to the rectifier to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal, wherein the filter includes a capacitor, an inductor, and a resistor coupled in series or parallel;
comparing the detection signal with a predetermined threshold signal; and
suspending supply of microwave energy based on the comparison of the detection signal with the predetermined threshold signal.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
providing an alert based on the comparison of the detection signal with a predetermined threshold signal.
3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
energizing a light-emitting device coupled to the filter, the light-emitting device adapted to operate when the detection signal is above the predetermined threshold signal.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting the detection signal to a generator coupled to the microwave antenna assembly.
5. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising:
comparing the detection signal with a reference signal, wherein a ground wire is configured to provide the reference signal to the generator; and
suspending supply of microwave energy based on the comparison of the detection signal with the reference signal.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
adjusting a voltage level of the detection signal with a voltage limiting circuit, the voltage limiting circuit includes a high impedance voltage buffer.
7. A method for detecting microwave energy, the method comprising:
receiving microwave energy at a receiving antenna coupled to a microwave antenna assembly;
rectifying at least a portion of the microwave energy through a rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna;
filtering the rectified microwave energy through a filter coupled to the rectifier to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal, wherein the filter includes a capacitor, an inductor and a resistor coupled in series or parallel; and
indicating through an indicator coupled to the filter that the detection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold,
wherein the indicator is a light-emitting device powered by the detection signal.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the indicator is an audible alarm.
9. A method for detecting microwave energy, the method comprising:
receiving microwave energy at a receiving antenna coupled to a microwave antenna assembly;
rectifying at least a portion of the microwave energy through a rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna;
filtering the rectified microwave energy through a filter coupled to the rectifier to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal, wherein the filter includes a capacitor, an inductor, and a resistor coupled in series or parallel; and
transmitting the detection signal to a generator coupled to the microwave antenna assembly.
10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:
comparing the detection signal with a reference signal, wherein a ground wire is configured to provide the reference signal to the generator; and
suspending supply of microwave energy based on the comparison of the detection signal with the reference signal.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
adjusting a voltage level of the detection signal with a voltage limiting circuit, the voltage limiting circuit includes a high impedance voltage buffer.