Microwave antenna assembly and method of using the same

Abstract

A microwave antenna assembly comprising an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and a lumen defined therebetween, a conductive member at least partially disposed within the inner lumen of elongate shaft, conductive member being selectively deployable relative to a distal end of elongate shaft from a first condition wherein a distal end of conductive member at least partially abuts the distal end of elongate shaft to a second condition wherein the distal end of conductive member is spaced relative to the distal end of elongate shaft and a first dielectric material disposed between elongate shaft and conductive member, wherein a portion of conductive member is distal to the distal end of elongate shaft and adapted to penetrate tissue.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for deploying a microwave antenna assembly, comprising:
 advancing a microwave antenna assembly into tissue with a conductive member of the microwave antenna assembly being in a first configuration;   deploying a distal portion of the conductive member, the distal portion biasing the conductive member into a predetermined second configuration;   delivering electrosurgical energy through the conductive member to tissue;   retracting the distal portion of the conductive member thereby returning the conductive member into the first configuration.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein advancing the microwave antenna assembly includes delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue during the advancement. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein deploying the conductive member includes delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue during the deployment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein retracting the distal portion of the conductive member includes delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue during the retraction. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein deploying the distal portion of the conductive member includes:
 inserting the microwave antenna assembly into an introducer; and   inserting the introducer into tissue.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein deploying the distal portion of the conductive member includes deploying the distal portion of the conductive member relative to a distal portion of an introducer into tissue. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein advancing the microwave antenna assembly into tissue includes advancing an elongated shaft of the microwave antenna assembly into tissue, the elongated shaft defining a lumen configured to receive the conductive member therein, a first dielectric material disposed between the elongate shaft and at least a portion of the conductive member, and a second dielectric material disposed on at least a portion of the conductive member. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein deploying the distal portion of the conductive member includes deploying at least one of the elongate shaft, the conductive member, the first dielectric material, or the second dielectric material relative to the distal portion of the introducer. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the distal portion of the conductive member has a diameter larger than a diameter of at least one of a distal portion of the introducer or a distal portion of the lumen of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein delivering electrosurgical energy includes delivering radio frequency energy to tissue with the conductive member in the first configuration. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein delivering electrosurgical energy includes delivering microwave energy to tissue with the conductive member in the second configuration. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, determining the relative position of the conductive member via at least one sensor. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, cooling at least a portion of the conductive member by contacting the conductive member with a cooling sheath, the cooling sheath partially surrounding at least a portion of the conductive member and coupled to a coolant source.