System and method for controlling delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue
An energy applicator for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating section operably coupled to the feedline, wherein the radiating section has a length. The energy applicator also includes a length adjustment member adapted to allow for selective adjustment of the length of the radiating section. The length adjustment member includes a first pivot element and a first tensioning element coupled to the first pivot element.
1. A method of delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue, comprising:
delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue via an energy-delivery device, the energy delivery device having a radiating section, an inner conductor defining a longitudinal axis, and an outer conductor surrounding at least a portion of the inner conductor, the outer conductor longitudinally spaced from the radiating section by a gap; and
adjusting a length of the radiating section to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the tissue by sliding a first sleeve along a second sleeve, the second sleeve disposed between the first sleeve and the outer conductor.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a length of the gap while the energy-delivery device is delivering energy to tissue.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein adjusting the length of the gap includes moving, along the longitudinal axis, a gap adjustment member disposed between the inner conductor and the outer conductor.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the gap adjustment member is conductive.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the length of the radiating section while the energy-delivery device is delivering energy to tissue.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the outer conductor.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first sleeve is conductive and the second sleeve is insulative.
8. A method of controlling the delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue, comprising:
delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue via an energy-delivery device, the energy delivery device having a radiating section, an inner conductor defining a longitudinal axis, and an outer conductor surrounding at least a portion of an inner conductor, the outer conductor longitudinally spaced from the radiating section by a gap; and
moving, along the longitudinal axis, a first sleeve surrounding a least a portion of the outer conductor along a second sleeve to adjust a length of the radiating section.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein moving the first sleeve to adjust the length of the radiating section includes moving the first sleeve while the energy-delivery device is delivering energy to tissue.
10. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising adjusting a length of the gap.
11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the second sleeve is disposed between the outer conductor and the first sleeve.
12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the first sleeve is conductive and the second sleeve is insulative.
13. A method of controlling the delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue, comprising:
delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue via an energy-delivery device, the energy delivery device having a radiating section, an inner conductor defining a longitudinal axis, and an outer conductor surrounding at least a portion of the inner conductor, the outer conductor longitudinally spaced from the radiating section by a gap;
moving, along the longitudinal axis and relative to the outer conductor, a first sleeve along a second sleeve to adjust a length of the radiating section.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein moving the first sleeve includes moving the first sleeve while the energy-delivery device is delivering energy to tissue.
15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the first sleeve is electrically coupled to the inner conductor.
16. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising adjusting a length of the gap.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein adjusting the length of the gap includes moving, along the longitudinal axis, a gap adjustment member disposed between the inner conductor and the outer conductor.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the gap adjustment member is conductive.