Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes an inner conductor having a length and an outer conductor coaxially surrounding the inner conductor along the length. The outer conductor has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the outer conductor is provided with a number of apertures N defined therein for radiating energy, where N is an integer greater than 1, each aperture having a size and extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer conductor. At least one of the size and the angle of each aperture is varied in relation to the other apertures N?1 such that the energy radiated along the distal portion is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A method of performing an ablation procedure includes the steps of inserting an antenna assembly into tissue and supplying energy thereto for application to tissue. The method also includes the step of causing contact between a first material and at least one other material disposed within the antenna assembly to thermally regulate the antenna assembly. According to another embodiment, an ablation system includes an energy delivery assembly. A first chamber is defined within the energy delivery assembly and is configured to hold a first chemical. Another chamber is defined within the energy delivery assembly and is configured to hold at least one other chemical. The first chamber and the other chamber are configured to selectively and fluidly communicate with each other to cause contact between the first chemical and the at least one other chemical to cause an endothermic reaction and/or an exothermic reaction.

Abstract: Various high-strength microwave antenna assemblies are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. Antenna rigidity comes from placing distal and proximal radiating portions in a pre-stressed state, assembling them via threaded or overlapping joints, or fixedly attaching an inner conductor to the distal portion. The inner conductor is affixed to the distal portion by, e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, or by adhesives. A junction member made from a hard dielectric material, e.g., ceramic, can be placed between the two portions and can have uniform or non-uniform shapes to accommodate varying antenna designs. Electrical chokes may also be used to contain returning currents to the distal end of the antenna.

Abstract: A surgical ablation system employing an ablation probe having a deployable ground plane is disclosed. The disclosed system includes a source of ablation energy and a source of electrosurgical energy, and a switching assembly configured to select between ablation and electrosurgical modes. The probe includes a cannula having a shaft slidably disposed therein. The shaft includes a deployable ground plane electrode assembly and a needle electrode disposed at distal end of the shaft. As the shaft is extended distally from the cannula, the ground plane electrode unfolds, and the needle electrode is exposed. Electrosurgical energy is applied to tissue via the needle electrode to facilitate the insertion thereof into tissue. Ablation energy is applied to tissue via the needle electrode to achieve the desired surgical outcome. The shaft, ground plane electrode and needle electrode are retracted into the cannula, and withdrawn from the surgical site.

Abstract: A conduit assembly for transmitting energy between an electrosurgical energy generator and an energy delivering device comprises a first cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; a second cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; wherein the flexibility of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the flexibility of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly; and wherein the energy attenuation of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the energy attenuation of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes an antenna assembly and an elongated body member. The elongated body member includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the proximal and distal end portions define a longitudinal axis. The elongated body member has a chamber defined therein that extends along the longitudinal axis, and a body wall surrounding the chamber. An antenna assembly is disposed in the chamber. The elongated body member also includes an opening in the body wall to allow energy radiated from the antenna assembly to transfer into the target volume of tissue.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes an inner conductor having a length and an outer conductor coaxially surrounding the inner conductor along the length. The outer conductor has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the outer conductor is provided with a number of apertures N defined therein for radiating energy, where N is an integer greater than 1, each aperture having a size and extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer conductor. At least one of the size and the angle of each aperture is varied in relation to the other apertures N?1 such that the energy radiated along the distal portion is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A method of performing an ablation procedure includes the steps of inserting an antenna assembly into tissue and supplying energy thereto for application to tissue. The method also includes the step of causing contact between a first material and at least one other material disposed within the antenna assembly to thermally regulate the antenna assembly. According to another embodiment, an ablation system includes an energy delivery assembly. A first chamber is defined within the energy delivery assembly and is configured to hold a first chemical. Another chamber is defined within the energy delivery assembly and is configured to hold at least one other chemical. The first chamber and the other chamber are configured to selectively and fluidly communicate with each other to cause contact between the first chemical and the at least one other chemical to cause an endothermic reaction and/or an exothermic reaction.

Abstract: Various high-strength microwave antenna assemblies are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. Antenna rigidity comes from placing distal and proximal radiating portions in a pre-stressed state, assembling them via threaded or overlapping joints, or fixedly attaching an inner conductor to the distal portion. The inner conductor is affixed to the distal portion by, e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, or by adhesives. A junction member made from a hard dielectric material, e.g., ceramic, can be placed between the two portions and can have uniform or non-uniform shapes to accommodate varying antenna designs. Electrical chokes may also be used to contain returning currents to the distal end of the antenna.

Abstract: A conduit assembly for transmitting energy between an electrosurgical energy generator and an energy delivering device comprises a first cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; a second cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; wherein the flexibility of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the flexibility of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly; and wherein the energy attenuation of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the energy attenuation of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a proximal portion including a first antenna assembly extending therethrough, and a distal portion including a second antenna assembly. The first antenna assembly includes a leaky-wave antenna assembly having an outer conductor and an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor. The distal portion of the device is attached to the inner conductor. The outer conductor includes a plurality of radiating apertures defined in a distal portion thereof and is configured for radiating energy substantially uniformly along a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion.

Abstract: An ablation device includes a handle assembly, an ablation electrode extending from the handle assembly, and one or more delivery needles extending from the handle assembly. The ablation electrode includes an ablation needle. The ablation needle includes a distal end portion including a drug delivery port defined therethrough. The ablation device also includes and a biopsy tool extending from the handle assembly.

Abstract: An ablation system includes a source of electrosurgical energy, a source of coolant fluid, and an ablation electrode assembly operatively connected to the source of electrosurgical energy and fluidly-coupled to the source of coolant fluid. The ablation electrode assembly includes a hub defining a chamber therein and one or more electrically-conductive ablation needles extending from the hub. The ablation system also includes one or more delivery needles extending from the hub. The one or more delivery needles are selectively moveable from a first position, wherein the distal end of the delivery needle is disposed proximal to the distal end portion of the ablation needle, to at least a second position, wherein at least the distal end of the delivery needle is disposed distally beyond the distal end portion of the ablation needle.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating portion electrically coupled to the feedline. The radiating portion includes a distal radiating section and a proximal radiating section. The feedline includes an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a first dielectric material disposed therebetween. The device also includes a choke disposed around at least a portion of the feedline. The choke includes a second dielectric material disposed around at least a portion of the outer conductor, wherein the second dielectric material includes at least one opening defined therein, and an electrically-conductive member disposed in the at least one opening electrically coupled to the outer conductor, wherein the electrically-conductive member is configured to contact tissue.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure a microwave ablation system is disclosed. The microwave ablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwave energy and a plurality of energy delivery devices having a first energy delivery device configured to be inserted into tissue and to generate a non-directional ablation volume and a second energy delivery device configured to be positioned relative to the tissue and to generate a directional ablation volume. The system also includes a power dividing device having an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a plurality of outputs configured to be coupled to the plurality of energy delivery devices. The power dividing device is configured to selectively divide energy provided from the energy source between the plurality of energy delivery devices.

Abstract: An energy applicator for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating section operably coupled to the feedline, wherein the radiating section has a length. The energy applicator also includes a length adjustment member adapted to allow for selective adjustment of the length of the radiating section.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a helical antenna assembly that includes a helical antenna radiating section having a helical antenna element. The helical antenna assembly is capable of operating in at least one of a first mode of operation for directing energy to a first portion of the target volume of tissue and a second mode of operation for directing energy to a second portion of the target volume of tissue.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating portion electrically coupled to the feedline. The radiating portion includes a distal radiating section and a proximal radiating section. The feedline includes an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a first dielectric material disposed therebetween. The device also includes a choke disposed around at least a portion of the feedline. The choke includes a second dielectric material disposed around at least a portion of the outer conductor, wherein the second dielectric material includes at least one opening defined therein, and an electrically-conductive member disposed in the at least one opening electrically coupled to the outer conductor, wherein the electrically-conductive member is configured to contact tissue.

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.

Abstract: An ablation device includes an antenna assembly having a radiating portion configured to deliver energy from a power source to tissue of a patient. The radiating portion has an outer conductor and an inner conductor extending therethrough. The inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor and defines a longitudinal axis. One of the inner conductor and the outer conductor is movable relative to the other to cause at least a portion of the outer conductor to expand radially relative to the longitudinal axis.