System and method for treating tissue using an expandable antenna

Abstract

A method of repairing an inner vessel wall includes the step of inserting at least a portion of a microwave ablation device into a vessel. The microwave ablation device includes an inner conductor disposed within an outer conductor and defines a longitudinal axis. The method also includes the steps of inserting a repairing sealant into the vessel such that the repairing sealant is disposed between an inner vessel wall and the outer conductor and expanding at least a portion of the outer conductor relative to the longitudinal axis to force at least a portion of the repairing sealant into the inner vessel wall. The method also includes the step of delivering energy to at least one of the inner conductor and the outer conductor to activate the repairing sealant to repair the inner vessel wall.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A microwave antenna assembly configured to operatively connect to an electrosurgical energy source, the microwave antenna assembly comprising:
 a handle portion; and   a feedline extending distally from the handle portion and including:
 an inner conductor defining a longitudinal axis; and 
 an outer conductor disposed about the inner conductor and including a distal portion having a plurality of separate conductors that are configured to radially expand relative to the longitudinal axis. 
   
     
     
         21 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the outer conductor has a proximal portion coupled to the handle portion. 
     
     
         22 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the proximal portion of the outer conductor is integrally formed with the distal portion of the outer conductor. 
     
     
         23 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the proximal portion of the outer conductor is tubular. 
     
     
         24 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein one of the inner conductor or the outer conductor is movable relative to the other to cause the plurality of conductors to expand radially relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         25 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the feedline includes a dielectric material disposed on a distal portion of the inner conductor. 
     
     
         26 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 25 , wherein the distal portion of the inner conductor is disposed within the distal portion of the outer conductor. 
     
     
         27 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , further comprising a distal tip disposed on a distal end of the feedline and configured to pierce tissue. 
     
     
         28 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein the distal tip is insulative. 
     
     
         29 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of conductors is configured to mechanically cut through tissue. 
     
     
         30 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the distal portion of the outer conductor is flexible. 
     
     
         31 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein distal movement of the outer conductor relative to the inner conductor causes the plurality of conductors to expand radially relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         32 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein proximal movement of the inner conductor relative to the outer conductor causes the plurality of conductors to expand radially relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         33 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , further comprising a repairing sealant disposed about the outer conductor. 
     
     
         34 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 33 , wherein the repairing sealant includes at least one of fibrin, an elastic matrix, or a collagen matrix. 
     
     
         35 . The microwave antenna assembly according to  claim 20 , further comprising a sleeve disposed about the outer conductor.