Patent ID: 8414570
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A microwave applicator for insertion into living body tissue for heat treatment of diseased tissue within the living body tissue, the microwave applicator comprising: an elongate applicator body having an insertion end for insertion into a tissue region of the living body and an attachment end for attachment to a source of microwave energy; an antenna for radiating microwave energy disposed toward the insertion end of the elongate applicator body; a microwave energy transmission line disposed within the elongate applicator body to conduct microwave energy from the attachment end of the applicator to the antenna, said microwave energy transmission line having an inner conductor and an outer conductor; an outer conductive sleeve extending around and spaced from the outer conductor of the microwave energy transmission line to form an outside of a portion of the elongate applicator body and to provide a cooling fluid space between the outer conductor of the microwave transmission line and an inside surface of the outer conductive sleeve; a guide sleeve positioned concentrically around and spaced from the outer conductor of the microwave energy transmission line and the inside surface of the outer conductive sleeve to divide at least a portion of the cooling fluid space into an inner cooling fluid space along the outer conductor of the microwave energy transmission line and an outer cooling fluid space along the inside surface of the outer conductive sleeve, said inner cooling fluid space communicating with said outer cooling fluid space whereby said guide sleeve is adapted to guide flow of a cooling fluid within the cooling fluid space to cool the microwave energy transmission line and the outer conductive sleeve; a temperature sensor positioned to measure an approximate temperature of a cooling fluid when a cooling fluid is present in the cooling fluid space during operation of the applicator; a conductive applicator tip forming the insertion end of the applicator body and electrically coupled to the inner conductor of the transmission line; and dielectric material positioned between the outer conductive sleeve and the conductive applicator tip to electrically insulate the conductive applicator tip from the outer conductive sleeve.