System and method for performing an ablation procedure

Abstract

A method of performing an ablation procedure includes the initial step of supplying a fluid to a cooling chamber defined within an antenna assembly. The method also includes the steps of decreasing the temperature of the fluid to form a solid material and inserting the antenna assembly into tissue. The method also includes the step of supplying energy to the antenna assembly to treat tissue. Residual heat from the antenna assembly transitions the solid material back to the fluid. The method also includes the step of circulating the fluid within the antenna assembly to dissipate heat emanating from the antenna assembly.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A microwave ablation system, comprising:
 an antenna assembly configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue;   a coolant source operably coupled to the power source and configured to selectively provide fluid to a cooling chamber defined within the antenna assembly; and   a cooling device configured to transition the fluid within the cooling chamber to a solid material, wherein residual heat from the antenna assembly transitions the solid material back to the fluid when energy is supplied to the antenna assembly to treat tissue, the fluid configured to circulate within the cooling chamber to dissipate heat emanating from the antenna assembly.   
     
     
         15 . A microwave ablation system according to  claim 14 , wherein the cooling device is selected from the group consisting of a refrigeration device, a liquid nitrogen spray, a liquid nitrogen bath, and a thermoelectric cooling device. 
     
     
         16 . A microwave ablation system according to  claim 14 , wherein the antenna assembly includes a feedline having inner and outer conductors with an inner insulator disposed therebetween, the antenna assembly further comprising a radiating portion including a dipole antenna having proximal and distal portions and a sheath enclosing the feedline and radiating portion to define the cooling chamber. 
     
     
         17 . A microwave ablation system according to  claim 16 , wherein the antenna assembly includes a three-branch connection hub coupled to the feedline and the sheath wherein a first branch of the three-branch connection hub includes a cable connector coupled to the feedline at a junction point, a second branch of the three-branch connection hub includes an outlet port, and a third branch of the three-branch connection hub includes an inlet port. 
     
     
         18 . A microwave ablation system according to  claim 17 , wherein a proximal end of the first branch is interconnected with the outlet port of the second branch via a bypass tube, wherein one end of the bypass tube is proximate the junction point to allow for flow of the fluid therethrough. 
     
     
         19 . A microwave ablation system according to  claim 14 , wherein the antenna assembly includes a tip coupled to a distal portion thereof, the tip having an insertion base, a tapered end and a pointed end. 
     
     
         20 . A microwave ablation system according to  claim 16 , wherein the sheath is a polyimide catheter. 
     
     
         21 . A microwave antenna assembly, comprising:
 a feedline including an inner conductor, and outer conductor, and an inner insulator disposed between the inner and outer conductors, the feedline electrically coupled to a source of microwave energy;   a radiating portion coupled to the feedline and configured to deliver microwave energy to tissue;   a sheath surrounding at least a portion of the radiating portion to define a chamber therebetween configured to receive fluid from a fluid source; and   a solid material disposed within the chamber and formed by the fluid within the chamber transitioning from a liquid state to a solid state while the fluid is in the chamber to rigidify the radiating portion.   
     
     
         22 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising a connection hub in fluid communication with the chamber and having an outlet port through which the fluid is provided to the chamber and an inlet port through which the fluid is withdrawn from the chamber. 
     
     
         23 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 22 , further comprising an inflow tube coupled to the inlet port and in fluid communication with the chamber and an outflow tube coupled to the outlet port and in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the fluid is provided from the fluid source to the chamber via the inflow tube, and the fluid is withdrawn from the chamber via the outflow tube. 
     
     
         24 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising a choke disposed around at least a portion of the feedline and including an inner dielectric layer and an outer conductive layer. 
     
     
         25 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising a protective sleeve configured to fluidly seal at least one of the feedline or the radiating portion from the fluid within the chamber. 
     
     
         26 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising a cable connector configured to couple the feedline to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable configured to couple the feedline to the source of microwave energy. 
     
     
         27 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the radiating portion includes a tapered tip disposed on a distal end thereof configured to pierce tissue. 
     
     
         28 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the solid material is formed by the fluid within the chamber transitioning from the liquid state to the solid state at ambient temperature. 
     
     
         29 . A microwave antenna assembly, comprising:
 a feedline including an inner conductor, and outer conductor, and an inner insulator disposed between the inner and outer conductors, the feedline electrically coupled to a source of microwave energy;   a radiating portion coupled to the feedline and configured to deliver microwave energy to tissue;   a sheath surrounding at least a portion of the radiating portion to define a chamber therebetween configured to receive fluid from a fluid source; and   a solid material disposed within the chamber and formed by the fluid transitioning from a liquid state to a solid state while the fluid is within the chamber to rigidify the radiating portion, the solid material configured to transition from the solid state to the liquid state upon delivery of microwave energy from the radiating portion to the tissue.   
     
     
         30 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 29 , wherein the solid material is formed by freezing the fluid within the chamber.