Patent ID: 8430871

Claim:
A system for monitoring ablation size, comprising: a power source including a microprocessor for executing at least one control algorithm; a microwave antenna configured to deliver microwave energy from the power source to tissue to form an ablation zone; and a radiation detection device operably disposed on the microwave antenna, the radiation detection device configured to generate a voltage corresponding to a radius of the ablation zone, wherein the radiation detection device is in operative communication with at least one module associated with the power source, wherein the at least one module triggers a signal when a predetermined threshold voltage is measured corresponding to the radius of the ablation zone, wherein the at least one module includes an ablation zone control module in operative communication with a memory associated with the power source, the memory including at least one data look-up table including rectified dc voltages associated with the microwave antenna, the rectified dc voltages corresponding to a radius of the ablation zone, the ablation control module configured to instruct the power source to adjust the amount of microwave energy being delivered to the microwave antenna when a signal from radiation detection device is received at the ablation zone control module to create a uniform ablation zone of suitable proportion with minimal damage to adjacent tissue.