Antenna assemblies for medical applications

Abstract

A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a monopole antenna assembly that includes a monopole antenna radiating section having a monopole antenna element surrounded by a dielectric material. The monopole antenna assembly also includes a ground plane disposed at a proximal end of the monopole antenna radiating section, wherein the ground plane is configured to direct energy into the target volume of tissue.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An antenna assembly for directing energy to a target volume of tissue, comprising:
 an outer shell defining an interior volume and including a longitudinal axis extending through the interior volume; and   a helical antenna disposed within the interior volume of the outer shell and wound coaxially about the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         9 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising a tissue-penetrating tip disposed at a distal end of the outer shell. 
     
     
         10 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the outer shell defines a cylindrical configuration such that the interior volume is cylindrical. 
     
     
         11 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein a dielectric material is disposed within the interior volume of the outer shell. 
     
     
         12 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein a fluid is disposed within the interior volume of the outer shell. 
     
     
         13 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the outer shell includes an inner layer defining the interior volume and an outer layer radially-spaced from the inner layer to define an annular volume therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein a dielectric material is disposed within the annular volume. 
     
     
         15 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein a fluid is disposed within the annular volume. 
     
     
         16 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 13 , further comprising two longitudinally formed partitions extending between the inner and outer layers, the partitions dividing the annular volume into first and second annular volume portions. 
     
     
         17 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising a connector connected to the helical antenna and extending proximally from the helical antenna and the outer shell. 
     
     
         18 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the helical antenna is formed of a shape-memory material. 
     
     
         19 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the shape memory material is one of copper-zinc-aluminum-nickel, copper-aluminum-nickel, or nickel-titanium. 
     
     
         20 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the outer shell is formed of a conductive material.