Microwave applicator
View Patent ↗A microwave applicator having a probe which comprises an elongate shaft ( 14 ), the shaft having an external tubular wall ( 18 ), a radiating portion ( 15 ) disposed at the distal end of the shaft ( 14 ), a transmission line ( 17 ) extending to the radiating portion internally of the tubular external wall ( 18 ), and an elongate flow dividing member ( 19 ) which co-extends with the transmission line ( 17 ) longitudinally of the shaft ( 14 ), the side wall of the transmission line ( 17 ) and the side wall of the flow dividing member ( 19 ) contacting each other and contacting the internal surface of the external tubular wall ( 18 ) at two-spatially separated discrete positions, thereby defining a pair of flow channels ( 20, 21 ) inside the shaft ( 14 ). In use, cooling fluid can pass down one channel ( 20 ) and return via the other channel ( 21 ). The structure of the probe is uncomplicated and the probe is straightforward to assemble.
1. A method of cooling a microwave applicator comprising:
inserting a microwave applicator into a treatment site, the microwave applicator comprising:
an elongated shaft having an external tubular wall;
a microwave radiating portion near a distal end of the shaft;
a flow dividing element comprising of a transmission line and a flow dividing member, the transmission line extending to the microwave radiating portion, the transmission line and floss dividing member extend longitudinally along the shaft, a cooling channel comprised of a first side, of the transmission line outer wall and a first side of the flow dividing member outer wall contacting each other, a return channel comprised of a second side of the transmission line outer wall and a second side of the flow dividing member outer wall contacting the internal surface of the external tubular wall at two-spatially separated locations to define a first flow passage and a second flow passage which extend longitudinally along the shaft;
pumping a fluid into the cooling channel.
2. The method of cooling a microwave applicator of claim 1 , further comprising: flowing the fluid from the return channel into a collection vessel.
3. The method of cooling a microwave applicator of claim 1 , wherein the flow of fluid reduces the temperature of the external tubular wall of the elongated shaft and the transmission line.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: activating a generator.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microwave applicator further comprises the distal end of the flow dividing member terminates prior to the microwave radiating portion of the applicator, in order to form a cross-over between the flow passages.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the fluid passes through the cross-over between the flow passages.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: diverting the fluid to a feed cable prior to the fluid entering into the cooling channel.
8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the fluid flow along a feed cable prior to entering into the collection vessel.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: pressurizing a source of fluid.
10. The method of claim 4 , wherein the generator produces microwave energy.