Targeted cooling of deployable microwave antenna and methods of use
First Claim
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1. A microwave ablation probe, comprising:
- an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;
an outer conductor disposed along the longitudinal axis within the elongated shaft;
a dielectric material disposed coaxially within the outer conductor;
an antenna disposed coaxially within the dielectric material and movable between a proximal non-deployed position wherein the antenna is substantially within the outer conductor, and a distal deployed position wherein the antenna extends distally from the outer conductor, the antenna comprising;
an inner conductor disposed coaxially within the dielectric material; and
a cooling sleeve disposed coaxially about a the distal portion of the inner conductor having a cooling chamber defined therein;
at least one inflow conduit in fluid communication with the cooling chamber and configured to deliver coolant thereto; and
at least one outflow conduit in fluid communication with the cooling chamber and configured to remove coolant therefrom.
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of tissue with microwave energy. The devices and methods disclosed herein utilize an antenna assembly which includes an elongate member, an outer conductor, an inner conductor, at least a portion of which is deployable, and a cooling system. The cooling system disclosed herein may significantly curtail any theoretical, or potential negative effects upon the target tissue experienced during the transmission of microwave energy to the antenna assembly due to ohmic heating.
81 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A microwave ablation probe, comprising:
- an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;
an outer conductor disposed along the longitudinal axis within the elongated shaft;
a dielectric material disposed coaxially within the outer conductor;
an antenna disposed coaxially within the dielectric material and movable between a proximal non-deployed position wherein the antenna is substantially within the outer conductor, and a distal deployed position wherein the antenna extends distally from the outer conductor, the antenna comprising;
an inner conductor disposed coaxially within the dielectric material; and
a cooling sleeve disposed coaxially about a the distal portion of the inner conductor having a cooling chamber defined therein;
at least one inflow conduit in fluid communication with the cooling chamber and configured to deliver coolant thereto; and
at least one outflow conduit in fluid communication with the cooling chamber and configured to remove coolant therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;
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9. A method of performing microwave ablation, comprising:
- providing a microwave ablation probe comprising;
an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;
an outer conductor disposed along the longitudinal axis within the elongated shaft;
a dielectric material disposed coaxially within the outer conductor;
an inner conductor disposed coaxially within the dielectric material;
an antenna disposed coaxially within the elongated shaft and movable between a proximal non-deployed position wherein the antenna is substantially within the shaft, and a distal deployed position wherein the antenna extends distally from the shaft, the antenna assembly having a cooling sleeve having a plurality of cooling chambers disposed coaxially about an inner conductor configured to deliver microwave energy to tissue;
a plurality of inflow conduits, each one of the plurality of inflow conduits in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of cooling chambers; and
a plurality of outflow conduits, each one of the plurality of outflow conduits in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of cooling chambers; and
a plurality of temperature sensors, each one of the plurality of temperature sensors in thermal communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of cooling chambers;
selecting a target temperature for at least one corresponding one of the plurality of cooling chambers;
delivering microwave ablation energy to tissue via the antenna;
sensing a temperature of at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors;
comparing the sensed temperature to the target temperature; and
regulating the flow of coolant to at least one of the cooling chambers to maintain the sensed temperature below the target temperature. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- providing a microwave ablation probe comprising;
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16. A microwave ablation probe, comprising:
- an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;
an outer conductor disposed along the longitudinal axis within the elongated shaft;
a dielectric material disposed coaxially within the outer conductor;
an inner conductor disposed coaxially within the dielectric material;
an antenna member disposed coaxially within the elongate shaft and movable between a proximal non-deployed position wherein the antenna member is substantially within the shaft, and a distal deployed position wherein the antenna member extends distally from the shaft, the antenna assembly including a cooling sleeve having a plurality of cooling chambers disposed coaxially about an inner conductor configured to deliver microwave energy to tissue;
a plurality of inflow conduits, each one of the plurality of inflow conduits in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of cooling chambers; and
a plurality of outflow conduits, each one of the plurality of outflow conduits in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of cooling chambers; and
a plurality of temperature sensors, each one of the plurality of temperature sensors associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of cooling chambers and configured to sense a temperature thereof. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
- an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;
Specification