Abstract: A system and method for ablating a selected portion of a contact surface of biological tissue is provided. The system includes an elongated ablation sheath having a preformed shape adapted to substantially conform a predetermined surface thereof with the contact surface of the tissue. The ablation sheath defines an ablation lumen sized to slideably receive an elongated ablative device longitudinally therethrough. The ablative device includes a flexible ablation element selectively generating an ablative field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. Advancement of the ablation element slideably through the ablation lumen of the ablation sheath selectively places the ablation element along the ablation path for guide ablation on the contact surface when the predetermined surface is in strategic contact therewith.

Abstract: A system and method for ablating a selected portion of a contact surface of biological tissue is provided. The system includes an elongated ablation sheath having a preformed shape adapted to substantially conform a predetermined surface thereof with the contact surface of the tissue. The ablation sheath defines an ablation lumen sized to slideably receive an elongated ablative device longitudinally therethrough. The ablative device includes a flexible ablation element selectively generating an ablative field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. Advancement of the ablation element slideably through the ablation lumen of the ablation sheath selectively places the ablation element along the ablation path for guide ablation on the contact surface when the predetermined surface is in strategic contact therewith.

Abstract: A microwave ablation instrument including a transmission line having a first conductor and a second conductor suitable for the transmission of microwave energy. A horn antenna device is mounted to the end of the transmission line, and include an outer conductor and an inner conductor. The outer conductor of the horn antenna is electrically coupled to the second conductor of the transmission line, and includes a peripherally extending interior wall flaring outwardly to define a recess therein. The inner conductor of the horn antenna is electrically coupled to the first conductor of the transmission line and terminates in the outer conductor recess. The inner conductor and the outer conductor cooperate to emit an electromagnetic field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation in a direction generally away from the flared interior wall of the outer conductor.

Abstract: A securing apparatus for selectively securing an ablating element of an ablation instrument proximate to a targeted region of a biological tissue. The securing apparatus includes a support base affixed to the ablation instrument relative the ablating element, and having a support face adapted to seat against the biological tissue proximate to the ablation element. The support base further defines a passage having one end communicably coupled to a vacuum source and an opposite end terminating at an orifice at the support face. The support face together with the biological tissue forms a hermetic seal thereagainst during operation of the vacuum source to secure the ablation instrument thereagainst. Essentially, the hermetic seal and the vacuum source cooperate to form a vacuum force sufficient to retain the ablation device against the biological tissue.

Abstract: A flexible microwave antenna assembly for a surgical ablation instrument capable of conforming to a tissue surface for ablation thereof. The ablation instrument includes a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source. The antenna assembly includes a flexible antenna coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. A flexible shield device is coupled to the antenna to substantially shield a surrounding area of the antenna from the electric field radially generated therefrom while permitting a majority of the field to be directed generally in a predetermined direction. A flexible insulator is disposed between the shield device and the antenna which defines a window portion enabling the transmission of the directed electric field in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A directional ablation instrument for ablation of a targeted tissue. The instrument includes a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source, and an elongated antenna device having a longitudinal axis and an end coupled to the transmission line. The antenna is adapted to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation of the targeted tissue. An elongated support assembly includes a central axis, and an ablation surface extending longitudinally along an exterior surface portion of the support assembly. The support assembly is configured to receive the antenna device in the ablation surface such that the longitudinal axis of the antenna device is off-set from the support assembly central axis. Further, the antenna device is oriented toward the surface portion for positioning of the antenna device substantially adjacent to or in contact with the targeted tissue during operable use.

Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed. The medical instrument includes a transmission line suitable for the transmission of electromagnetic energy and an antenna coupled to the transmission line. The antenna is configured for generating an electromagnetic field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The medical instrument further includes a reflector arranged to be electrically coupled to the transmission line. The reflector is positioned laterally to a first side of the antenna and configured for redirecting a portion of the electromagnetic field to a second side of the antenna opposite the reflector, wherein a majority of the electromagnetic field is directed away from the second side of the antenna.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a medical instrument at a desired biological target tissue site is provided. The system includes an elongated sheath having a deflectable distal end configured to deflect or otherwise position at least a portion of a medical instrument during a surgical procedure allowing for the placement of the deflected portion adjacent or proximate to a predetermined target tissue surface. The positioning system may be incorporated into the medical instrument. The medical instrument may be an ablation system.

Abstract: A directional ablation instrument for ablation of a targeted tissue. The instrument includes a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source, and an elongated antenna device having a longitudinal axis and an end coupled to the transmission line. The antenna is adapted to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation of the targeted tissue. An elongated support assembly includes a central axis, and a ablation surface extending longitudinally along an exterior surface portion of the support assembly. The support assembly is configured to receive the antenna device in the ablation surface such that the longitudinal axis of the antenna device is offset from the support assembly central axis. Further, the antenna device is oriented toward the surface portion for positioning of the antenna device substantially adjacent to or in contact with the targeted tissue during operable use.

Abstract: An ablation catheter apparatus with a monopole antenna that is arranged to provide a relatively uniform electric field and a method for using such an ablation catheter apparatus are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an ablation catheter includes an elongated flexible tubular member that is adapted to be inserted into the body of a patient, and a transmission line that is disposed within the tubular member. The transmission line has a distal end and a proximal end which is arranged to be connected to an electromagnetic energy source. The catheter also includes a monopole antenna with tip section and a body section that includes a distal end and a proximal end. The tip section and the body section are arranged to produce a relatively uniform electric field around the monopole antenna which is sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The proximal end of the body section of the monopole antenna is arranged to be electrically coupled to the transmission line.

Abstract: A system and method for ablating a selected portion of a contact surface of biological tissue is provided. The system includes an elongated ablation sheath having a preformed shape adapted to substantially conform a predetermined surface thereof with the contact surface of the tissue. The ablation sheath defines an ablation lumen sized to slideably receive an elongated ablative device longitudinally therethrough. The ablative device includes a flexible ablation element selectively generating an ablative field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. Advancement of the ablation element slideably through the ablation lumen of the ablation sheath selectively places the ablation element along the ablation path for guide ablation on the contact surface when the predetermined surface is in strategic contact therewith.

Abstract: A directional ablation instrument for ablation of a targeted tissue. The instrument includes a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source, and an elongated antenna device having a longitudinal axis and an end coupled to the transmission line. The antenna is adapted to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation of the targeted tissue. An elongated support assembly includes a central axis, and a ablation surface extending longitudinally along an exterior surface portion of the support assembly. The support assembly is configured to receive the antenna device in the ablation surface such that the longitudinal axis of the antenna device is off-set from the support assembly central axis. Further, the antenna device is oriented toward the surface portion for positioning of the antenna device substantially adjacent to or in contact with the targeted tissue during operable use.

Abstract: A securing apparatus for selectively securing an ablating element of an ablation instrument proximate to a targeted region of a biological tissue. The securing apparatus includes a support base affixed to the ablation instrument relative the ablating element, and having a support face adapted to seat against the biological tissue proximate to the ablation element. The support base further defines a passage having one end communicably coupled to a vacuum source and an opposite end terminating at an orifice at the support face. The support face together with the biological tissue forms a hermetic seal thereagainst during operation of the vacuum source to secure the ablation instrument thereagainst. Essentially, the hermetic seal and the vacuum source cooperate to form a vacuum force sufficient to retain the ablation device against the biological tissue.

Abstract: A microwave ablation assembly and method including a relatively thin, elongated probe (21) having a proximal access end (22) and an opposite distal penetration end (23) adapted to penetrate into bio-tissue (25). The probe (21) defines an insert passage (26) extending therethrough from the access end (22) to the penetration end (23) thereof. An ablation catheter includes a coaxial transmission line (28) with an antenna device (30) coupled to a distal end of the transmission line (28) for generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The coaxial transmission line (28) includes an inner conductor (31) and an outer conductor (32) separated by a dielectric material medium (33). A proximal end of the transmission line (28) is coupled to a microwave energy source.

Abstract: A directional reflective shield assembly (25) is provided for a microwave ablation instrument (20) having an antenna (23) coupled to a transmission line (21). The antenna (23) is formed to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The shield assembly (25) includes a cradle device (26) disposed about the antenna (23) in a manner substantially shielding a surrounding area of the antenna (23) from the electric field radially generated therefrom. The cradle device (26) further provides a window portion (27) communicating with the antenna (23) which is strategically located relative the antenna to direct a majority of the field generally in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A microwave ablation instrument including a transmission line having a first conductor and a second conductor suitable for the transmission of microwave energy. A horn antenna device is mounted to the end of the transmission line, and include an outer conductor and an inner conductor. The outer conductor of the horn antenna is electrically coupled to the second conductor of the transmission line, and includes a peripherally extending interior wall flaring outwardly to define a recess therein. The inner conductor of the horn antenna is electrically coupled to the first conductor of the transmission line and terminates in the outer conductor recess. The inner conductor and the outer conductor cooperate to emit an electromagnetic field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation in a direction generally away from the flared interior wall of the outer conductor.

Abstract: A microwave ablation instrument including a transmission line having a first conductor and a second conductor suitable for the transmission of microwave energy. A horn antenna device is mounted to the end of the transmission line, and include an outer conductor and an inner conductor. The outer conductor of the horn antenna is electrically coupled to the second conductor of the transmission line, and includes a peripherally extending interior wall flaring outwardly to define a recess therein. The inner conductor of the horn antenna is electrically coupled to the first conductor of the transmission line and terminates in the outer conductor recess. The inner conductor and the outer conductor cooperate to emit an electromagnetic field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation in a direction generally away from the flared interior wall of the outer conductor.

Abstract: An ablation catheter apparatus with a monopole antenna that is arranged to provide a relatively uniform electric field and a method for using such an ablation catheter apparatus are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an ablation catheter includes an elongated flexible tubular member that is adapted to be inserted into the body of a patient, and a transmission line that is disposed within the tubular member. The transmission line has a distal end and a proximal end which is arranged to be connected to an electromagnetic energy source. The catheter also includes a monopole antenna with tip section and a body section that includes a distal end and a proximal end. The tip section and the body section are arranged to produce a relatively uniform electric field around the monopole antenna which is sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The proximal end of the body section of the monopole antenna is arranged to be electrically coupled to the transmission line.

Abstract: A directional reflective shield assembly (25) is provided for a microwave ablation instrument (20) having an antenna (23) coupled to a transmission line (21). The antenna (23) is formed to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The shield assembly (25) includes a cradle device (26) disposed about the antenna (23) in a manner substantially shielding a surrounding area of the antenna (23) from the electric field radially generated therefrom. The cradle device (26) further provides a window portion (27) communicating with the antenna (23) which is strategically located relative the antenna to direct a majority of the field generally in a predetermined direction.