MICROWAVE ANTENNA HAVING A CURVED CONFIGURATION

摘要

A microwave antenna having a curved configuration is described herein. The antenna portion is formed into various shapes whereby the antenna substantially encloses, by a partial or complete loop or enclosure, at least a majority of the tissue to be irradiated. When microwave energy is delivered through the antenna, the curved configuration forms an ablation field or region defined by the curved antenna and any tissue enclosed within the ablation region becomes irradiated by the microwave energy. The microwave antenna is deployed through one of several methods, and multiple curved antennas can be used in conjunction with one another. Moreover, RF energy can also be used at the distal tip of the antenna to provide a cutting tip for the antenna during deployment in tissue.

主权项

1. A microwave antenna for applying microwave energy therapy comprising:
an inner conductor having a length with a proximal portion and a curved distal portion; and an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor at least partially along the length, wherein the curved distal portion is configured to at least partially surround an area of tissue to be treated within an ablation region defined by the curved distal portion.