IP Library Granted Patent US 12,318,133
Granted Patent B2
US 12,318,133 · App. 16/987,476 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Choked microwave antenna

Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan (Lyons, CO); Kyle R. Rick (Washington, DC)
Assignee: Covidien LP
A61B18/1815A61B18/18H01Q9/16A61B2018/00023A61B2018/00071A61B2018/00166A61B2018/1838
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,318,133
App. No.
16/987,476
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and an inner insulator disposed therebetween. A radiating portion is also included having an unbalanced dipole antenna including a proximal portion and a distal portion that are of different lengths. The proximal portion includes at least a portion of the inner conductor and the inner insulator and the distal portion includes a conductive member.

Claims (51)

1. A microwave antenna assembly, comprising:

a feedline including an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and an insulator disposed between the inner and outer conductors, the insulator extending distally from a distal-most end of the outer conductor;

a radiating portion having a proximal portion and a distal conductive portion, the proximal portion including at least a portion of the inner conductor and the insulator;

a choke including an outer conductive layer and an inner dielectric layer extending distally past the outer conductive layer, wherein a distal end of the choke is disposed proximal to the radiating portion; and

a dielectric material directly coupled to an outer surface of the outer conductor and the radiating portion, wherein the dielectric material extends distally from the distal-most end of the outer conductor.

2. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a connection hub including a cable connector coupled to the feedline;

an inlet fluid port;

an outlet fluid port; and

a jacket defining a chamber around the feedline, the chamber configured to receive a cooling fluid.

3. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 2 , further comprising:

an inflow tube coupled to the inlet fluid port for supplying the cooling fluid to the chamber; and

an outflow tube coupled to the outlet fluid port and in fluid communication with the chamber for withdrawing the cooling fluid from the chamber.

4. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the jacket is a polyimide catheter.

5. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the jacket is formed from a metal.

6. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the outer conductive layer is shorted to the outer conductor of the feedline.

7. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the inner dielectric layer is selected from the group consisting of a tetrafluorethylene and a perfluorpropylene.

8. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a seal disposed around a distal end of the outer conductive layer of the choke.

9. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the dielectric material extends from the choke to a distal end of the radiating portion.

10. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the dielectric material defines a central cavity configured to fit about the radiating portion.

11. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the dielectric material has a dielectric constant from about 2.5 to about 150.

12. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a tip disposed at a distal end of the radiating portion, the tip having a tapered portion and a pointed distal end.

13. A microwave antenna assembly, comprising:

a feedline including an inner conductor coaxially disposed within an outer conductor and an insulator disposed between the inner and outer conductors, the insulator extending distally from a distal-most end of the outer conductor;

a radiating portion having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion including at least a portion of the inner conductor;

a choke including an outer conductive layer and an inner dielectric layer extending distally past the outer conductive layer, wherein a distal end of the choke is disposed proximal to the radiating portion; and

a dielectric material directly coupled to an outer surface of the outer conductor and the radiating portion, wherein the dielectric material extends distally from the distal-most end of the outer conductor.

14. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising:

a connection hub including a cable connector coupled to the feedline;

an inlet fluid port;

an outlet fluid port; and

a coolant jacket defining a chamber around the feedline configured to receive a cooling fluid.

15. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 14 , further comprising:

an inflow tube coupled to the inlet fluid port for supplying the cooling fluid to the chamber; and

an outflow tube coupled to the outlet fluid port and in fluid communication with the chamber for withdrawing the cooling fluid from the chamber.

16. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the dielectric material extends from the choke to a distal end of the radiating portion.

17. A microwave antenna assembly, comprising:

a feedline including an inner conductor surrounded by an outer conductor and an insulator disposed between the inner and outer conductors, the insulator extending distally from a distal-most end of the outer conductor;

a radiating portion configured to deliver microwave energy to tissue;

a choke including an outer conductive layer and an inner dielectric layer, the choke having a distal end disposed proximal to the radiating portion; and

a dielectric material directly coupled to an outer surface of the outer conductor and the radiating portion, wherein the dielectric material extends distally from the distal-most end of the outer conductor.

18. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 17 , further comprising:

a connection hub including a cable connector coupled to the feedline;

an inlet fluid port;

an outlet fluid port; and

a coolant jacket defining a chamber around the feedline configured to receive a cooling fluid.

19. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 18 , further comprising:

an inflow tube coupled to the inlet fluid port for supplying the cooling fluid to the chamber; and

an outflow tube coupled to the outlet fluid port and in fluid communication with the chamber for withdrawing the cooling fluid from the chamber.

20. The microwave antenna assembly according to claim 17 , wherein the dielectric material extends from the choke to a distal end of the radiating portion.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2020
From: BRANNAN, JOSEPH D.; RICK, KYLE R.
To: VIVANT MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 053427/0147 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 7, 2020
From: VIVANT MEDICAL LLC
To: COVIDIEN LP
Reel/Frame 053427/0331 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2020
From: VIVANT MEDICAL LLC
To: COVIDIEN LP
Reel/Frame 053427/0511 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 7, 2020
From: VIVANT MEDICAL, INC.
To: VIVANT MEDICAL LLC
Reel/Frame 053437/0369 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 16113540 · Aug 27, 2018
Continuation 14599619 · Jan 19, 2015
Continuation 13444496 · Apr 11, 2012
Continuation 12350292 · Jan 8, 2009
Provisional Application 61023031 · Jan 23, 2008
Related Publication 20200360087A1 · Nov 19, 2020
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