Microwave antenna having a reactively-loaded loop configuration

Abstract

A microwave ablation system is provided. The microwave ablation system includes a power source. A microwave antenna is adapted to connect to the power source via a coaxial cable feed including an inner conductor defining a portion of a radiating section of the microwave antenna, an outer conductor and dielectric shielding. The inner conductor loops back around and toward the outer conductor of the coaxial cable feed such that a distal end of the inner conductor is operably disposed adjacent the dielectric shielding. The inner conductor includes one or more reactive components disposed thereon forming a reactively-loaded loop configuration configured to maximize delivery of microwave energy from the power source to tissue such that a desired effect to tissue is achieved.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A microwave ablation system, comprising:
 a power source; and   a microwave antenna configured to couple to the power source, the microwave antenna including:
 an inner conductor; 
 an outer conductor; 
 a dielectric disposed between at least a portion of the inner conductor and the outer conductor; and 
   
       a reactively-loaded loop including at least two reactive components. 
     
     
         22 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 21 , wherein the microwave antenna includes a radiating section and a shield operably coupled to the radiating section. 
     
     
         23 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 22 , wherein the shield is formed of a conductive material. 
     
     
         24 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 22 , wherein the shield is disposed about at least a portion of the reactively-loaded loop. 
     
     
         25 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 22 , wherein the inner conductor defines at least a portion of the radiating section. 
     
     
         26 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 21 , wherein the inner conductor extends distally of the outer conductor and defines one of the at least two reactive components. 
     
     
         27 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 21 , further comprising a dielectric shielding, wherein the inner conductor defines a loop disposed adjacent the dielectric shielding. 
     
     
         28 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the at least two reactive components is selected from the group consisting of an inductor, a capacitor, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 21 , wherein the reactively-loaded loop includes a combination of at least one inductor and at least one capacitor. 
     
     
         30 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 29 , wherein the at least one inductor and the at least one capacitor are coupled to the inner conductor in series with respect to each other. 
     
     
         31 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 21 , wherein the inner conductor includes a spiral configuration capacitively coupling the inner conductor to the dielectric. 
     
     
         32 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 21 , wherein the microwave antenna includes a radiating section and a dielectric material surrounding the radiating section and the at least two reactive components, the dielectric material providing an impedance match between the microwave antenna and tissue. 
     
     
         33 . A microwave antenna comprising:
 an inner conductor;   an outer conductor;   a dielectric disposed between at least a portion of the inner conductor and the outer conductor; and   a reactively-loaded loop including at least two reactive components.   
     
     
         34 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 33 , wherein the microwave antenna includes a radiating section and a shield operably coupled to the radiating section. 
     
     
         35 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 34 , wherein the shield is formed of a conductive material. 
     
     
         36 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 34 , wherein the shield is disposed about at least a portion of the reactively-loaded loop. 
     
     
         37 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 33 , wherein the inner conductor extends distally of the outer conductor and defines one of the at least two reactive components. 
     
     
         38 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 33 , further comprising a dielectric shielding, wherein the inner conductor defines a loop disposed adjacent the dielectric shielding. 
     
     
         39 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the at least two reactive components is selected from the group consisting of an inductor, a capacitor, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 33 , wherein the reactively-loaded loop includes a combination of at least one inductor and at least one capacitor.