Patent ID: 8586897

Claim:
A microwave applicator comprising a waveguide having an open distal end; a coaxial electrical input with an inner conductor extending longitudinally within a proximal end of the waveguide to launch microwaves in the TM 01 mode that travel to the open distal end of the waveguide and are transmitted into biological tissue to be treated; a diaphragm of low loss dielectric material being provided within the waveguide between a distal end of said conductor and said open distal end of the waveguide, the diaphragm extending laterally of the waveguide to reflect the microwaves travelling along it, the longitudinal location of the diaphragm being selected in relation to said ends of the waveguide so that the phase of reflections from the diaphragm and said ends serve to reduce or cancel rearward reflections in the coaxial input.