Microwave surface ablation using conical probe

• US 8,343,145 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Vivant Medical, Inc. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Brannan, Joseph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ram, Jocelyn D
• Application Number:
  US12/568,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20110077634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 607/154, 607/156, 607/115, 607/116, 606/22, 606/33, 606/41
• US Class Current: 606/33
• 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 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1853 Monopole antennas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a conical hood reflector and method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The disclosed probe includes a shaft assembly that has a coaxial feedline core having an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by an insulating layer. A tubular catheter is disposed coaxially around the feedline and is configured to deliver coolant, such as saline or deionized water, to a coolant chamber at a distal end formed within the conical reflector. A radiating section disposed within the conical reflector may have a conical, cylindrical, or other suitable shape. A membrane disposed across a distal opening of the conical reflector seals coolant within the coolant chamber, and may conform to tissue contours during use. A resilient aperture may be included at the periphery of the conical hood. The shaft assembly may include an angled section, an adjustable section, and, additionally or alternatively, a malleable section.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe, comprising:

a coaxial feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor disposed coaxially thereabout, and a dielectric disposed therebetween;

a tubular catheter coaxially disposed around the coaxial feedline configured to circulate a coolant to a coolant chamber;

a hypotube coaxially disposed around the tubular catheter having a flared opening at a distal end thereof;

a radiating section disposed within the flared opening and operably coupled to the inner conductor;

a membrane enclosing the flared opening to define the coolant chamber; and

a conformable mesh disposed on a periphery of the flared opening.

2. The electromagnetic surgical ablation probe of claim 1, wherein the conformable mesh is formed from stainless steel.

3. An electromagnetic surgical ablation system, comprising:

a source of microwave ablation energy;

a coaxial feedline operatively coupled to the source of microwave ablation energy, wherein the coaxial feedline includes an inner conductor, an outer conductor disposed coaxially thereabout, and a dielectric disposed therebetween;

a tubular catheter coaxially disposed around the coaxial feedline, wherein the tubular catheter is configured to circulate a coolant to a coolant chamber;

a hypotube coaxially disposed around the tubular catheter having a flared opening at a distal end thereof;

a radiating section disposed within the flared opening and operably coupled to the inner conductor;

a membrane enclosing the flared opening to define the coolant chamber; and

a conformable mesh disposed on a periphery of the flared opening.