Patent ID: 7346399

Claim:
An antenna structure, comprising: an elongated flexible tubular member adapted to be inserted into a patient's body and having a distal end attached to the monopole antenna near the proximal end thereof; a monopole antenna formed of electrically conductive material and including a substantially hemispherical distal tip operably disposed at a distal end of the ablation device and having a substantially conical shape converging proximally from the distal tip toward a proximal end for forming an outer emission surface from which electromagnetic energy is emitted between the distal and proximal ends in a uniform electromagnetic field pattern about the monopole antenna in response to electromagnetic energy applied to the proximal end thereof; and an electromagnetic energy conductor disposed within the tubular member and connected to the proximal end of the monopole antenna for transmitting ablation energy thereto, the outer surface of the insulating material encasing the monopole antenna forming a smooth surface transition with an outer surface of the tubular member.