Patent ID: 8768485

Claim:
A tissue ablation apparatus for ablating tissue comprising: a phase-locked source of microwave radiation having a stable output frequency in the range of 5 to 60 GHz; a probe connected to said phase-locked source, said probe having a low loss ceramic tip at a distal end thereof, the ceramic tip being configured for directing said microwave radiation into said tissue to be ablated; a local oscillator for producing a signal, having a frequency different from said frequency of said microwave radiation; a first detector for detecting the magnitude and phase of a reflected portion of said microwave radiation reflected back through said probe towards said phase-locked source; said first detector being connected to the local oscillator and configured to determine the magnitude and phase of said reflected portion of said microwave radiation by comparing said reflected portion of said microwave radiation with said signal produced by said local oscillator; and an impedance adjuster connected between said phase-locked source of microwave radiation and said probe, said impedance adjuster having an adjustable complex impedance that is controllable based on said determined magnitude and phase of said reflected portion of said microwave radiation.