Reinforced high strength microwave antenna
A 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, comprising:
an outer conductor;
an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor;
a dielectric material disposed between the outer and inner conductors;
a radiating portion;
a shaft disposed coaxially around the outer conductor to define a fluid lumen between the shaft and the outer conductor; and
a thermocouple disposed proximal to the radiating portion.
2. The microwave antenna according to claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing member surrounding the inner conductor and disposed distal to the outer conductor.
3. The microwave antenna according to claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing member is at least partially disposed within the radiating portion.
4. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing member is electrically conductive.
5. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the thermocouple includes a blunt distal tip.
6. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the inner conductor extends longitudinally within the radiating portion.
7. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 2 , further comprising a junction member disposed within the radiating portion, the inner conductor extending longitudinally through the junction member.
8. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the reinforcing member is more rigid than the junction member.
9. A radiating portion of a microwave antenna, comprising:
a distal radiating portion;
a proximal radiating portion disposed proximal to the distal radiating portion, wherein the proximal radiating portion is disposed distal to a thermocouple disposed within the microwave antenna;
an outer conductor coaxially surrounded by a shaft to define a fluid lumen between the shaft and the outer conductor; and
an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor.
10. The radiating portion according to claim 9 , further comprising an electrically conductive reinforcing member surrounding the inner conductor and disposed distal to the outer conductor.
11. The radiating portion according to claim 9 , further comprising a dielectric material disposed between the outer and inner conductors.
12. The radiating portion according to claim 9 , further comprising a junction member disposed between the proximal and distal radiating portions, the inner conductor extending longitudinally through the junction member.
13. The radiating portion according to claim 9 , wherein the inner conductor extends through the proximal radiating portion and at least partially through the distal radiating portion.
14. A microwave ablation system, comprising:
a source of microwave energy; and
a microwave antenna configured to couple to the source of microwave energy, the microwave antenna including:
an outer conductor;
a shaft disposed coaxially around the outer conductor to define a fluid lumen between the shaft and the outer conductor;
an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor;
a radiating portion; and
a thermocouple disposed proximal to the radiating portion.
15. The microwave ablation system according to claim 14 , further comprising a reinforcing member surrounding the inner conductor and disposed distal to the outer conductor.
16. The microwave ablation system according to claim 14 , wherein the microwave antenna includes a reinforcing member at least partially disposed within the radiating portion.
17. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the thermocouple is disposed within the fluid lumen.
18. The radiating portion according to claim 9 , wherein the thermocouple is disposed within the fluid lumen.
19. The microwave ablation system according to claim 14 , wherein the thermocouple is disposed within the fluid lumen.