Radiation applicator and method of radiating tissue
First Claim
1. A method of treating tissue, the method comprising:
- inserting into the body a radiation applicator for applying electromagnetic radiation to tissue, the radiation applicator comprising;
a central conductor having a distal end and a proximal end, an outer conductor having a distal end and a proximal end, the outer conductor also having an inner surface and an outer surface;
an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal portion, the distal portion including a distal most end, the outer tube also having an inner surface and an outer surface, the distal most end of the outer tube ending proximal to a distal most end of the applicator, the outer tube coaxially surrounding the outer conductor such that a gap is formed between the outer surface of the outer conductor and the inner surface of the outer tube;
a dielectric tip member;
a ferrule having a proximal end and a distal end portion including a distal most end, the distal most end of the ferrule extending distally beyond the distal most end of the outer tube for a selected distance, the ferrule having a first surface, second surface, and a third surface, the first surface of the ferrule extending coaxially along the outer conductor and the central conductor, the second surface of the ferrule coaxially extends between the distal end of the outer conductor and the distal end of the outer tube, and the third surface of the ferrule coaxially extends along the distal end of the central conductor, the ferrule is spaced between the outer conductor and the outer tube thereby sealing the gap such that the proximal end of the ferrule prevents a cooling fluid from contacting a dipole antenna;
a tuning conductor attached to the distal end of the central conductor, the tuning conductor is in electrical contact with the central conductor; and
a dipole antenna formed by the tuning conductor and the dielectric tip member, the dipole antenna configured to radiate electromagnetic energy in at least a radial direction from the dielectric tip member;
placing the dielectric tip in the tissue to be treated;
powering on the energy source;
delivering the energy to the tissue; and
withdrawing the radiation applicator.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dipole microwave applicator emits microwave radiation into tissue to be treated. The applicator is formed from a thin coax cable having an inner conductor surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by an outer conductor. A portion of the inner conductor extends beyond the insulator and the outer conductor. A ferrule at the end of the outer conductor has a step and a sleeve that surrounds a portion of the extended inner conductor. A tuning washer is attached to the end of the extended inner conductor. A dielectric tip encloses the tuning washer, the extended inner conductor, and the sleeve of the ferrule. The sleeve of the ferrule and the extended inner conductor operate as the two arms of the dipole microwave antenna. The tuning washer faces the step in the ferrule, and is sized and shaped to cooperate with the step in balancing and tuning the applicator.
66 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating tissue, the method comprising:
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inserting into the body a radiation applicator for applying electromagnetic radiation to tissue, the radiation applicator comprising; a central conductor having a distal end and a proximal end, an outer conductor having a distal end and a proximal end, the outer conductor also having an inner surface and an outer surface; an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal portion, the distal portion including a distal most end, the outer tube also having an inner surface and an outer surface, the distal most end of the outer tube ending proximal to a distal most end of the applicator, the outer tube coaxially surrounding the outer conductor such that a gap is formed between the outer surface of the outer conductor and the inner surface of the outer tube; a dielectric tip member; a ferrule having a proximal end and a distal end portion including a distal most end, the distal most end of the ferrule extending distally beyond the distal most end of the outer tube for a selected distance, the ferrule having a first surface, second surface, and a third surface, the first surface of the ferrule extending coaxially along the outer conductor and the central conductor, the second surface of the ferrule coaxially extends between the distal end of the outer conductor and the distal end of the outer tube, and the third surface of the ferrule coaxially extends along the distal end of the central conductor, the ferrule is spaced between the outer conductor and the outer tube thereby sealing the gap such that the proximal end of the ferrule prevents a cooling fluid from contacting a dipole antenna; a tuning conductor attached to the distal end of the central conductor, the tuning conductor is in electrical contact with the central conductor; and a dipole antenna formed by the tuning conductor and the dielectric tip member, the dipole antenna configured to radiate electromagnetic energy in at least a radial direction from the dielectric tip member; placing the dielectric tip in the tissue to be treated; powering on the energy source; delivering the energy to the tissue; and withdrawing the radiation applicator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of treating tissue, the method comprising:
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inserting into the body a radiation applicator for applying electromagnetic radiation to tissue, the radiation applicator comprising; a central conductor having a distal end and a proximal end, an outer conductor having a distal end and a proximal end, the outer conductor also having an inner surface and an outer surface; an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal portion, the distal portion including a distal most end, the outer tube also having an inner surface and an outer surface, the distal most end of the outer tube ending proximal to a distal most end of the applicator, the outer tube coaxially surrounding the outer conductor such that a gap is formed between the outer surface of the outer conductor and the inner surface of the outer tube; a dielectric tip member; a ferrule having a proximal end and a distal end portion including a distal most end, the distal most end of the ferrule extending distally beyond the distal most end of the outer tube for a selected distance, the ferrule having a first surface, second surface, and a third surface, the first surface of the ferrule extending coaxially along the outer conductor and the central conductor, the second surface of the ferrule coaxially extends between the distal end of the outer conductor and the distal end of the outer tube, and the third surface of the ferrule coaxially extends along the distal end of the central conductor, the ferrule is spaced between the outer conductor and the outer tube thereby sealing the gap such that the proximal end of the ferrule prevents a cooling fluid from contacting a dipole antenna; a tuning conductor attached to the distal end of the central conductor, the tuning conductor is in electrical contact with the central conductor; and a dipole antenna formed by the tuning conductor and the dielectric tip member, the dipole antenna configured to radiate electromagnetic energy in at least a radial direction from the dielectric tip member; placing the dielectric tip in the tissue to be treated; flowing fluid through the gap but not beyond the ferrule; powering on the energy source; delivering the energy to the tissue; and withdrawing the radiation applicator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification