Abstract: A microwave ablation system for treating tissue includes an assembly of antennas adapted to connect to a microwave generator. The microwave generator generates microwave energy. Each antenna of the assembly of antennas includes inner and outer conductors. The inner conductor has a length. The outer conductor has a longitudinal axis defined along a length thereof. The outer conductor at least partially surrounding the inner conductor at least partially along the length thereof. One of the inner conductor and the outer conductor is movable with respect to the other. At least one antenna of the assembly of antennas is deployable from a first state for ablating a first ablation region of tissue to a second deployable state for ablating a second ablation region of tissue. The first and second ablation tissue regions overlap to define an aggregate ablation region.

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: An ablation device includes an antenna assembly having a radiating portion configured to deliver energy from a power source to tissue. The radiating portion has an outer conductor and an inner conductor. The inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor. The device also includes an imaging device operably coupled to the radiating portion. The imaging device is configured to generate imaging data corresponding to tissue proximate the radiating portion of the antenna assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various apparatus, systems and methods of identifying and treating tissue using at least one electrical property of tissue. Provided is a method for identifying and treating tissue, the method including providing a electrosurgical treatment device including an electrode assembly for measuring one or more electrical properties of a target tissue, the electrode assembly being mounted on a distal end thereof, measuring the one or more electrical characteristics of the target tissue, comparing the measured electrical property values of the target tissue against electrical property values of known tissue types, identifying a tissue type of the target tissue, adjusting an energy delivery configuration of the electrosurgical treatment device to the type of target tissue, and activating the electrosurgical treatment device to treat the target tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of tissue with microwave energy. The devices and methods disclosed herein utilize an antenna assembly which includes an elongate member, an outer conductor, an inner conductor, at least a portion of which is deployable, and a cooling system. The cooling system disclosed herein may significantly curtail any theoretical, or potential negative effects upon the target tissue experienced during the transmission of microwave energy to the antenna assembly due to ohmic heating.

Abstract: A medial device including a handle portion, and a deployable member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle portion is disclosed. The deployable member includes a distal tip and a bend that is disposed adjacent the distal tip. The deployable member is extendable form the handle portion such that the distal tip extends in a spiral-like configuration in response to extension of the deployable member. The spiral-like configuration includes non-equivalent radii.

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: The present disclosure relates to various apparatus, systems and methods of identifying and treating tissue using at least one electrical property of tissue. Provided is a method for identifying and treating tissue, the method including providing a electrosurgical treatment device including an electrode assembly for measuring one or more electrical properties of a target tissue, the electrode assembly being mounted on a distal end thereof, measuring the one or more electrical characteristics of the target tissue, comparing the measured electrical property values of the target tissue against electrical property values of known tissue types, identifying a tissue type of the target tissue, adjusting an energy delivery configuration of the electrosurgical treatment device to the type of target tissue, and activating the electrosurgical treatment device to treat the target tissue.

Abstract: A microwave antenna assembly comprising an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and a lumen defined therebetween, a conductive member at least partially disposed within the inner lumen of elongate shaft, conductive member being selectively deployable relative to a distal end of elongate shaft from a first condition wherein a distal end of conductive member at least partially abuts the distal end of elongate shaft to a second condition wherein the distal end of conductive member is spaced relative to the distal end of elongate shaft and a first dielectric material disposed between elongate shaft and conductive member, wherein a portion of conductive member is distal to the distal end of elongate shaft and adapted to penetrate tissue.

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 microwave ablation system is provided. The microwave ablation system includes a power source. A microwave antenna is adapted to connect to the power source via a coaxial cable feed including an inner conductor defining a portion of a radiating section of the microwave antenna, an outer conductor and dielectric shielding. The inner conductor loops back around and toward the outer conductor of the coaxial cable feed such that a distal end of the inner conductor is operably disposed adjacent the dielectric shielding. The inner conductor includes one or more reactive components disposed thereon forming a reactively-loaded loop configuration configured to maximize delivery of microwave energy from the power source to tissue such that a desired effect to tissue is achieved.

Abstract: A microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends. The antenna assembly also includes an outer conductor and an inner conductor each disposed within the elongated member and extending along the longitudinal axis. A portion of the inner conductor is deployable relative to the outer conductor such that the antenna assembly may transition from a first configuration to a second configuration. The antenna assembly also includes an expandable sheath at least partially disposed about a distal portion of the inner conductor and defining at one or more lumens configured to couple to a supply of dielectric material used to regulate the expansion of the expandable sheath.

Abstract: An ablation probe having a ground plane is disclosed. The disclosed probe includes an inner conductor coaxially disposed within an outer shield. One or more ground plane(s) oriented substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the probe are joined to the outer shield. One or more dielectric(s) may be disposed around the inner conductor or upon a surface of a ground plane. The probe may include a rigid or flexible catheter disposed around the outer shield to define a conduit therebetween to enable the delivery of pressurized fluid to an inflatable balloon disposed around a ground plane. A semicylindrical housing having a circumferential surface and a distal surface may be included. A proximal edge of the circumferential surface of the semicylindrical housing may be joined to a circumferential edge of a ground plane. An opening may be defined in the distal surface of the semicylindrical housing, through which the inner conductor may extend distally.

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: A microwave antenna assembly comprising an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and a lumen defined therebetween, a conductive member at least partially disposed within the inner lumen of elongate shaft, conductive member being selectively deployable relative to a distal end of elongate shaft from a first condition wherein a distal end of conductive member at least partially abuts the distal end of elongate shaft to a second condition wherein the distal end of conductive member is spaced relative to the distal end of elongate shaft and a first dielectric material disposed between elongate shaft and conductive member, wherein a portion of conductive member is distal to the distal end of elongate shaft and adapted to penetrate tissue.

Abstract: A method of deploying an antenna of an ablation device includes the step of placing an introducing member relative to tissue. The introducing member is disposed on a distal end of a handle member. The method also includes the steps of advancing an antenna distally through the handle member and at least partially through the introducer and rotating the handle member about the longitudinal axis thereof relative to the antenna. The method also includes the step of moving the handle member proximally along the longitudinal axis thereof to retract the introducer proximally relative to the antenna such that the antenna is at least partially deployed relative to the introducer to treat tissue.

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: 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: An energy applicator for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating section operably coupled to the feed line, 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. The length adjustment member includes a first pivot element and a first tensioning element coupled to the first pivot element.

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.