Intracooled percutaneous microwave ablation probe

Abstract

A device for the treatment of tissue with microwave energy includes an antenna assembly including outer and inner conductors, a sealing barrier, and a cooling system. The outer and inner conductors have a dielectric material interposed therebetween. The cooling system minimizes the likelihood that the antenna assembly will overheat.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An antenna assembly, comprising:
 an elongate member;   an outer conductor positioned within the elongate member;   a dielectric material disposed within the outer conductor and defining:
 a lumen; 
 a first longitudinal channel including an inlet conduit extending therethrough; and 
 a second longitudinal channel including an outlet conduit extending therethrough; 
   an inner conductor at least partially disposed within the lumen of the dielectric material; and   a distal radiating portion extending distally from the elongate member and defining a cooling chamber therein, wherein the inlet and outlet conduits are configured to circulate a fluid within the cooling chamber, the dielectric material configured to separate the first and second longitudinal channels from the lumen to insulate the inlet and outlet conduits from the inner conductor.   
     
     
         22 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the lumen is centrally disposed within the dielectric material, and the first and second longitudinal channels are disposed about the lumen. 
     
     
         23 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising a connecting hub that defines:
 a first conduit coupled to the inlet conduit;   a second conduit coupled to the outlet conduit; and   a third conduit having a proximal end of the elongate member disposed therein.   
     
     
         24 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein the inlet and outlet conduits extend through the first and second longitudinal channels of the dielectric material and are coupled to the first and second conduits of the connecting hub. 
     
     
         25 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the proximal end of the elongate member includes:
 a first aperture extending transversely from an outer surface of the elongate member to the first longitudinal channel of the dielectric material; and   a second aperture extending transversely from the outer surface of the elongate member to the second longitudinal channel of the dielectric material.   
     
     
         26 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 25 , wherein the inlet conduit includes an inlet curved portion extending from the first longitudinal channel of the dielectric material, through the first aperture, and into the first conduit of the connecting hub, and the outlet conduit includes an outlet curved portion extending from the second longitudinal channel of the dielectric material, through the second aperture, and into the second conduit of the connecting hub. 
     
     
         27 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising a penetrating member supported at a distal end of the elongate member. 
     
     
         28 . A microwave treatment system, comprising:
 a power supply;   a feedline coupled to the power supply, the feedline including:
 an elongate member; 
 an outer conductor positioned within the elongate member; 
 a dielectric material disposed within the outer conductor and defining:
 a lumen; 
 a first longitudinal channel; and 
 a second longitudinal channel; 
 
 an inner conductor at least partially disposed within the lumen of the dielectric material; 
   a distal radiating portion extending distally from the elongate member and defining a cooling chamber therein, the cooling chamber in communication with the first and second longitudinal channels; and   a cooling system including:
 a pump configured to circulate fluid; 
 an inlet conduit coupled to the pump and extending through the first longitudinal channel; and 
 an outlet conduit coupled to the pump and extending through the second longitudinal channel, the inlet and outlet conduits configured to circulate the fluid from the pump to the cooling chamber, wherein the dielectric material is configured to separate the first and second longitudinal channels from the lumen to insulate the inlet and outlet conduits from the inner conductor. 
   
     
     
         29 . The microwave treatment system according to  claim 28 , wherein the lumen is centrally disposed within the dielectric material and the first and second longitudinal channels are disposed about the lumen. 
     
     
         30 . The microwave treatment system according to  claim 28 , further comprising a connecting hub that defines:
 a first conduit coupled to the inlet conduit of the cooling system;   a second conduit coupled to the outlet conduit of the cooling system; and   a third conduit having a proximal end of the elongate member disposed therein.   
     
     
         31 . The microwave treatment system according to  claim 30 , wherein the inlet and outlet conduits of the cooling system extend through the first and second longitudinal channels of the dielectric material and are coupled to the first and second conduits of the connecting hub. 
     
     
         32 . The microwave treatment system according to  claim 31 , wherein the proximal end of the elongate member includes:
 a first aperture extending transversely from an outer surface of the elongate member to the first longitudinal channel of the dielectric material; and   a second aperture extending transversely from the outer surface of the elongate member to the second longitudinal channel of the dielectric material.   
     
     
         33 . The microwave treatment system according to  claim 32 , wherein the inlet conduit of the cooling system includes an inlet curved portion extending from the first longitudinal channel of the dielectric material, through the first aperture, and into the first conduit of the connecting hub, and the outlet conduit of the cooling system includes an outlet curved portion extending from the second longitudinal channel of the dielectric material, through the second aperture, and into the second conduit of the connecting hub. 
     
     
         34 . The microwave treatment system according to  claim 28 , further comprising a penetrating member supported at a distal end of the elongate member.