Abstract: An ablation device includes a feedline including an inner conductor having a distal end, an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed therebetween, an elongated electrically-conductive member longitudinally disposed at the distal end of the inner conductor and having a proximal end, a first balun structure disposed over a first portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the first balun structure is located at a first distance from the proximal end of the electrically-conductive member and a second balun structure disposed over a second portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the second balun structure is located at a second distance from the proximal end of the electrically-conductive member.

Abstract: A trocar assembly including an obturator, an access cannula, and a reservoir is provided. The access cannula defines a lumen therethrough configured to selectively receive the obturator. The reservoir is configured to be selectively coupled to the obturator such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with a hollow interior portion of the obturator. An obturator is also provided including an elongate body and a connection point. The elongate body extends between proximal and distal portions and is configured to be received within an access cannula. The elongate body defines a hollow interior portion therein. The connection point is disposed on an exterior portion of the elongate body and is configured to be selectively coupled to a fluid reservoir. Rapid expansion of fluid within the hollow interior portion causes tissue in contact with the access cannula to freeze thereto. A method of performing surgery is also provided.

Abstract: A cable assembly includes a rigid portion, a flexible central portion, and a radiating portion. The rigid portion is configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy and to prevent fluid ingress towards the source of electrosurgical energy. The flexible central portion extends from the rigid portion and includes an inner conductor, a dielectric disposed about the inner conductor, and a conductive braid disposed about the dielectric. The radiating portion extends from the central portion and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Abstract: An energy-delivery device suitable for delivery of energy to tissue includes an antenna assembly, a chamber defined about the antenna assembly, and a cable having a proximal end suitable for connection to an electrosurgical energy source. The energy-delivery device also includes a flexible, fluid-cooled shaft coupled in fluid communication with the chamber. The flexible, fluid-cooled shaft is configured to contain a length of the cable therein and adapted to remove heat along the length of the cable during delivery of energy to the antenna assembly.

Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwave energy and a power splitting device having an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a plurality of outputs. The plurality of outputs are configured to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of energy delivery devices. The power splitting device is configured to selectively divide energy provided from the energy source between the plurality of energy devices.

Abstract: A microwave ablation cable assembly including a first coaxial cable having a first diameter, an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric formed between the inner and outer conductors, a second coaxial cable having a second diameter, and inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a dielectric formed between the inner and outer conductor, and a transition between the first and second coaxial cables having an inner conductor and outer conductor and a dielectric formed between the inner and outer conductors where the inner conductors of the first and second coaxial cables and the transition are in electrical communication and the outer conductors of the first and second coaxial cables and the transition are in electrical communication.

Abstract: An ablation device includes a feedline including an inner conductor having a distal end, an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed therebetween, an elongated electrically-conductive member longitudinally disposed at the distal end of the inner conductor and having a proximal end, a first balun structure disposed over a first portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the first balun structure is located at a first distance from the proximal end of the electrically-conductive member and a second balun structure disposed over a second portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the second balun structure is located at a second distance from the proximal end of the electrically-conductive member.

Abstract: An energy applicator for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric material disposed therebetween, and an antenna assembly having a radiating section operably coupled to the feedline. The energy applicator also includes a first balun structure configured to substantially confine energy to the radiating section when the energy applicator is energized and disposed in tissue, and a second balun structure configured to substantially prevent energy emitted from the radiating section from propagating proximal to the second balun structure along the feedline when the energy applicator is energized but not disposed in tissue.

Abstract: An energy delivery device cooling system includes a reservoir connector assembly and an elongate member. The elongate member has first and second lumens in fluid communication with the reservoir. The first lumen includes an outflow port and the second lumen includes a return port each in fluid communication with the reservoir. The device further includes a tubing system having a first end and a second end. The first end connected in fluid communication with the outflow port and the second end in fluid communication with the return port. The second end configured to return a fluid to the reservoir. The tubing system connects to an energy delivery device to cool the fluid.

Abstract: Microwave applicators are disclosed which include a first transmission line segment, a second transmission line segment, and a third transmission line segment. The first transmission line segment includes a first inner conductor, a first dielectric disposed on the first inner conductor, and a first outer conductor disposed on the first dielectric. The second transmission line segment includes a second inner conductor, a second dielectric disposed on the second inner conductor, and a second outer conductor disposed on the second dielectric. The third transmission line segment includes a third inner conductor disposed on the third inner conductor, a third outer conductor disposed on the proximal end of the third dielectric. The impedance of the second transmission line segment can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the third transmission line segment.

Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes a first cannula, a trocar insertable through the first cannula and configured to facilitate insertion of the first cannula into a target tissue, and a microwave antenna assembly configured to interlock with the first cannula, the microwave antenna assembly including a coaxial feedline having a radiating section formed thereon, the microwave antenna configured to be inserted into the first cannula. The microwave ablation system further includes an actuator operatively connected to one of the first cannula or microwave antenna assembly. Operation of the actuator between a first position and a second position exposes the radiating section of the microwave antenna assembly from a distal portion of the first cannula.

Abstract: A system including a catheter navigable to a location within a patient, a lumen extending through the catheter and ending at the distal end in an orifice, a fluid controller in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter and capable of supplying a fluid to or removing a fluid from an area proximate the desired location. The control of the fluid in the area proximate the desired location affecting a dielectric constant of the area proximate the desired location. The system includes a microwave energy source, and a microwave ablation probe connected to the microwave energy source, the microwave ablation probe being navigable to a desired location within the patient. Application of energy from the microwave energy source to the microwave ablation probe in an area proximate the desired location having the affected dielectric constant results in a substantially spherical tissue effect in the area proximate the desired location.

Abstract: A system for monitoring ablation size is provided and includes a power source including a microprocessor for executing at least one control algorithm. A microwave antenna is configured to deliver microwave energy from the power source to tissue to form an ablation zone. An ablation zone control module is in operative communication with a memory associated with the power source. The memory includes one or more data look-up tables including data pertaining to a control curve varying over time and being representative of one or more electrical parameters associated with the microwave antenna. Points along the control curve correspond to a value of the electrical parameters and the ablation zone control module triggers a signal when a predetermined threshold value of the electrical parameter(s) is measured corresponding to the radius of the ablation zone.

Abstract: An ablation system for directing energy to a target volume of tissue is provided. The ablation system comprises an ablation antenna probe including at least one radiating portion configured to output electromagnetic radiation and at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector configured for removable positioning on the antenna probe. The at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector is configured to block electromagnetic radiation from the at least one radiating portion through the at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector such that a particular directionality of the electromagnetic radiation from the at least one radiation portion to a target volume of tissue is achieved.

Abstract: A microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and an inner insulator disposed therebetween. A radiating portion is also included having an unbalanced dipole antenna including a proximal portion and a distal portion that are of different lengths. The proximal portion includes at least a portion of the inner conductor and the inner insulator and the distal portion includes a conductive member.

Abstract: Microwave applicators are disclosed which include a first transmission line segment, a second transmission line segment, and a third transmission line segment. The first transmission line segment includes a first inner conductor, a first dielectric disposed on the first inner conductor, and a first outer conductor disposed on the first dielectric. The second transmission line segment includes a second inner conductor, a second dielectric disposed on the second inner conductor, and a second outer conductor disposed on the second dielectric. The third transmission line segment includes a third inner conductor disposed on the third inner conductor, a third outer conductor disposed on the proximal end of the third dielectric. The impedance looking into the second transmission line segment from the first transmission line segment can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the third transmission line segment.

Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes a first cannula, a trocar insertable through the first cannula and configured to facilitate insertion of the first cannula into a target tissue, and a microwave antenna assembly configured to interlock with the first cannula, the microwave antenna assembly including a coaxial feedline having a radiating section formed thereon, the microwave antenna configured to be inserted into the first cannula. The microwave ablation system further includes an actuator operatively connected to one of the first cannula or microwave antenna assembly. Operation of the actuator between a first position and a second position exposes the radiating section of the microwave antenna assembly from a distal portion of the first cannula.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured to concurrently dissect and coagulate tissue. The surgical instrument includes a handle and a shaft extending distally from the handle. The shaft includes an outer hypotube, a lumen coaxially-disposed within the hypotube and extending beyond a distal end thereof, a coaxial feedline coaxially-disposed within the lumen, and having an inner conductor and an outer conductor disposed coaxially about the inner conductor, and a coolant tube coaxially-disposed between the lumen and the coaxial feedline to form an inflow conduit and an outflow conduit. The instrument further includes a dissecting head assembly coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The dissecting head assembly includes a dielectric core having a substantially planar radiating surface and at least one non-radiating surface, a reflective coating disposed on the at least one non-radiating surface of the dielectric core, and a blade extending from the radiating surface.

Abstract: A system including a catheter navigable to a location within a patient, a lumen extending through the catheter and ending at the distal end in an orifice, a fluid controller in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter and capable of supplying a fluid to or removing a fluid from an area proximate the desired location. The control of the fluid in the area proximate the desired location affecting a dielectric constant of the area proximate the desired location. The system includes a microwave energy source, and a microwave ablation probe connected to the microwave energy source, the microwave ablation probe being navigable to a desired location within the patient. Application of energy from the microwave energy source to the microwave ablation probe in an area proximate the desired location having the affected dielectric constant results in a substantially spherical tissue effect in the area proximate the desired location.

Abstract: A microwave ablation device including a catheter having an inner tube defining an inflow lumen therethrough and an outflow lumen between the inner tube and an inner surface of the catheter, a balloon in fluid communication with the inflow and outflow lumens, a microwave ablation antenna insertable into one of the inflow or outflow lumens, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of at least one of a fluid circulating in the catheter or an airway wall against which a portion of the catheter is positioned.