Energy-delivery devices with flexible fluid-cooled shaft, inflow / outflow junctions suitable for use with same, and systems including same

Abstract

An energy-delivery device suitable for delivery of energy to tissue includes an antenna assembly, a chamber defined about the antenna assembly, and a cable having a proximal end suitable for connection to an electrosurgical energy source. The energy-delivery device also includes a flexible, fluid-cooled shaft coupled in fluid communication with the chamber. The flexible, fluid-cooled shaft is configured to contain a length of the cable therein and adapted to remove heat along the length of the cable during delivery of energy to the antenna assembly.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A treatment device comprising:
 a feedline including an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by a dielectric material;   a balun structure disposed along a portion of the feedline and including a conductive balun sleeve electrically coupled to at least a portion of the outer conductor of the feedline; and   a hub including an inlet fluid port and an outlet fluid port fluidly coupled to the inlet fluid port via a fluid-cooled shaft, wherein at least a portion of the feedline is disposed within the fluid-cooled shaft.   
     
     
         22 . The treatment device according to  claim 21 , further comprising a cable assembly coupled to the feedline and configured to electrically couple the feedline to a power generating source. 
     
     
         23 . The treatment device according to  claim 21 , wherein the balun structure further includes a balun insulator, and the conductive balun sleeve is disposed around an outer surface of the balun insulator. 
     
     
         24 . The treatment device according to  claim 23 , wherein the balun insulator is disposed around the outer conductor of the feedline. 
     
     
         25 . The treatment device according to  claim 23 , wherein the balun insulator is formed of at least one of ceramic, water, mica, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene, glass, metal oxides, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The treatment device according to  claim 21 , wherein a distal portion of the feedline includes a radiating section, and the balun structure is disposed proximal the radiating section of the feedline. 
     
     
         27 . The treatment device according to  claim 21 , wherein a proximal end of the conductive balun sleeve is electrically coupled to the outer conductor of the feedline. 
     
     
         28 . The treatment device according to  claim 21 , wherein the balun structure includes a balun short disposed at a proximal portion of the conductive balun sleeve configured to electrically couple the balun structure to the outer conductor of the feedline. 
     
     
         29 . The treatment device according to  claim 28 , wherein the balun short is tubular-shaped. 
     
     
         30 . The treatment device according to  claim 28 , wherein the balun short is formed of an electrically-conductive material different from the outer conductor of the feedline. 
     
     
         31 . A system comprising:
 a power generating source configured to generated electrosurgical energy; and   a treatment device including:
 a feedline including an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by a dielectric material; 
 a balun structure disposed along a portion of the feedline and including a conductive balun sleeve electrically coupled to at least a portion of the outer conductor of the feedline; and 
 a hub including an inlet fluid port and an outlet fluid port fluidly coupled to the inlet fluid port via a fluid-cooled shaft, wherein at least a portion of the feedline is disposed within the fluid-cooled shaft. 
   
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31 , further comprising a cable assembly coupled to the feedline and configured to electrically couple the feedline to the power generating source. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the balun structure further includes a balun insulator, and the conductive balun sleeve is disposed around an outer surface of the balun insulator. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 33 , wherein the balun insulator is disposed around the outer conductor of the feedline. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 33 , wherein the balun insulator is formed of at least one of ceramic, water, mica, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene, glass, metal oxides, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the feedline includes a distal radiating section, and the balun structure is disposed proximal the distal radiating section of the feedline. 
     
     
         37 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein a proximal end of the conductive balun sleeve is electrically coupled to the outer conductor of the feedline. 
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the balun structure includes a balun short disposed at a proximal portion of the conductive balun sleeve configured to electrically couple the balun structure to the outer conductor of the feedline. 
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 38 , wherein the balun short is tubular-shaped. 
     
     
         40 . The system according to  claim 38 , wherein the balun short is formed of an electrically-conductive material different from the outer conductor of the feedline. 
     
     
         41 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the hub is configured to fluidly couple to a coolant source via at least one of the inlet fluid port or the outlet fluid port.