Tunable microwave ablation probe

摘要

An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a tunable helical antenna element is disclosed. The probe includes a coaxial feedline having an inner conductor coaxially disposed within a dielectric, and an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the dielectric. The inner conductor and dielectric extend distally beyond a distal end of the outer conductor. A helical antenna element is operably coupled to a distal end of the inner conductor. During use, the antenna may be tuned by changing at least one dimension of the helical antenna element. Embodiments are presented wherein a dimensions of the helical antenna element is changed by state change of a shape memory alloy, by a change in temperature, by activation of a piston by fluidic pressure, by linear motion of a conical tip, and by a manual screw-type adjustment.

主权项

1. An ablation probe, comprising:
an inner conductor; a dielectric coaxially-disposed around the inner conductor; an outer conductor coaxially-disposed around the dielectric, wherein the dielectric and the inner conductor extend distally from the outer conductor; a barrel coaxially-disposed about the outer conductor and movable along a longitudinal axis thereof, the barrel including an exterior threaded portion; an adjustment collar rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and having an interior threaded portion adapted to cooperatively engage the exterior threaded portion of the barrel; a helical antenna element coaxially-disposed about a distal extension of the dielectric and coupled at a distal end thereof to the inner conductor and coupled at a proximal end thereof to the barrel, wherein the helical antenna element is operable to change from a first configuration to a second configuration when the adjustment collar is rotated.