Air-core microwave ablation antennas

• US 20080119921A1
• Filed: 07/17/2007
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Neuwave Medical, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Micrablate, Inc.
• Inventors: Lee, Fred T., van der Weide, Daniel Warren, Laeseke, Paul F., Brace, Christopher Lee
• Application Number:
  US11/879,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20080119921A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00017 with gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy

Abstract

A method and device delivers microwave power to an antenna through a coaxial cable utilizing air or other gases as its dielectric core. The cable includes supports made of low-loss materials to keep the inner conductor centered in the cable, and defining spaces therebetween for the air or gas. Channels in the supports allow the air or gas to circulate in the cable. The gas may be chilled or cooled to provide an addition level of heat dissipation. The device enables delivery of large amounts of power to tissue without undue heating of the feed cable or peripheral tissues, and without increasing the diameter of the feeding cable or antenna, keeping the antenna safe for percutaneous use.

Claims

1. A device for delivery of microwave power to an antenna, comprising:

a coaxial cable having air or other gas as the dielectric core; and

discrete supports integrated into the cable.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising flow channels in each support.

3. A device for combined delivery of microwave power to an antenna and cooling of the device, comprising:

a co-axial cable having air or other gas as the dielectric core; and

discrete supports integrated into the cable.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising flow channels in supports.

5. The device of claim 3, further comprising a hollow tube center conductor.

6. A method for delivery of microwave power to an antenna, comprising the steps of:

defining spaces in a co-axial cable attached to the antenna;

circulating gas between the spaces in the co-axial cable; and

supplying power to the co-axial cable.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the co-axial cable has a hollow tube center conductor.