Patent ID: 6962586

Claim:
A method for ablating bio-tissue comprising: introducing an electrically conductive elongated probe into the bio-tissue to a predetermined depth, said probe defining a passage extending therethrough from a proximal access end to an opposite distal end thereof; introducing into the passage an elongated microwave ablation device having a distal antenna coupled to a transmission line which in turn is coupled to a microwave energy source at a proximal end thereof, said transmission line comprising an innter conductor and an outer conductor electrically connected to said elongated probe, said distal antenna formed by removing a portion of said outer conductor proximate a distal end of said transmission line exposing a portion of the dielectric material medium; positioning the distal antenna at least at the probe distal end; and generating an electric field at the distal antenna which is sufficiently strong to cause ablation of the bio-tissue within the electric field.