Patent ID: 8180433

Claim:
A microwave system calibration apparatus, comprising: an antenna portion configured to deliver a microwave energy signal to tissue; a transmission line portion having a proximal end configured to receive the microwave energy signal from a microwave source and having a distal end configured to selectively deliver the microwave energy signal to the antenna portion, the transmission line portion including: an inner conductor having a length; an outer conductor concentrically surrounding the inner conductor at least partially along the length; and a dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, at least one of the inner conductor and the outer conductor being electrically connected to the antenna; and a switching mechanism positioned adjacent the antenna portion and connected between the antenna portion and the distal end of the transmission line portion is configured to electrically disconnect the distal end of the transmission line portion from the antenna portion in a first condition and to electrically connect the inner conductor to the outer conductor at the distal end of the transmission line portion in a second condition.