US6312427B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directional reflector shield assembly for a microwave ablation instrument
Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC
•
Filing: 2000-02-02
•
Granted: 2001-11-06
•
Expires: 2020-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A directional reflective shield assembly ( 25 ) is provided for a microwave ablation instrument ( 20 ) having an antenna ( 23 ) coupled to a transmission line ( 21 ). The antenna ( 23 ) is formed to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The shield assembly ( 25 ) includes a cradle device (26) disposed about the antenna ( 23 ) in a manner substantially shielding a surrounding area of the antenna ( 23 ) from the electric field radially generated therefrom. The cradle device ( 26 ) further provides a window portion ( 27 ) communicating with the antenna ( 23 ) which is strategically located relative the antenna to direct a majority of the field generally in a predetermined direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Dany Berube
- 👤 Robert E. Woodard
- 👤 Theodore C. Ormsby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00291; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00363; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1435; A61B2018/1437
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A microwave ablation instrument comprising: a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source; an antenna, having a longitudinal axis, coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation; and a shield assembly having a central axis and a window portion, and coupled to said antenna to substantially shield a surrounding area of the antenna from the electric field radially generated therefrom while permitting a majority of the field to be directed out of the window portion thereof generally in a predetermined direction, wherein, said longitudinal axis of said antenna is off-set from the central axis of said shield assembly to position said antenna substantially proximate to and adjacent said window portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A microwave ablation instrument comprising: a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source; an antenna, having a longitudinal axis, coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation; and a shield assembly having a central axis and a window portion, and coupled to said antenna to substantially shield a surrounding area of the antenna from the electric field radially generated therefrom while permitting a majority of the field to be directed out of the window portion thereof generally in a predetermined direction, wherein, said longitudinal axis of said antenna is off-set from the central axis of said shield assembly to position said antenna substantially proximate to and adjacent said window portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 1 wherein, said shield assembly includes a cradle device disposed about the antenna for substantial shielding of the antenna surrounding area, said cradle device defining said window portion communicating with said antenna and strategically located therewith to direct the majority of the field generally in the predetermined direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 2 wherein, said cradle device is adapted to position said antenna proximate to and adjacent said window portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 3 wherein, said cradle device defines a cavity in communication with said window portion, and formed and dimensioned for receipt of the antenna therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 4 further including: an insert device disposed in said cavity and defining a recess formed and dimensioned for receipt of said antenna therein in a manner substantially isolating said antenna from direct contact with the metallic cradle device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 5 wherein, said insert device defines a directional port extending into said recess and aligned to communicate with the window portion of said cradle device to direct said majority of the field generally in said predetermined direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 6 wherein, said cavity is generally elongated, and formed for longitudinal receipt of said antenna therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 7 wherein, a longitudinal axis of said elongated recess is off-set from a longitudinal axis of said cradle to positioned to position said antenna substantially proximate to and adjacent said directional port and said window portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 6 further including: an insulator in conductive contact with said cradle device to transfer heat therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 9 wherein, said insulator includes a longitudinally extending bore formed and dimensioned for sliding receipt of said cradle device therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 10 wherein, said insulator defines a directional window extending into said bore and aligned to communicate with the window portion of said cradle device to direct said majority of the field generally in said predetermined direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 2 further including: a conductive, bendable, malleable tubular shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion coupled to said cradle device, said transmission line being disposed in said tubular shaft from the proximal portion to the distal portion thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 12 further including: a handle mounted to the proximal portion of said tubular shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 13 wherein, said handle includes a microwave absorbent disposed peripherally around the proximal portion of said tubular shaft to substantially absorb microwave radiation transmitted by the proximal portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 14 wherein, said microwave absorbent is provided by a silicon based microwave absorbent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 14 wherein, said handle includes an interior wall defining a cavity portion formed and dimensioned for termination of the tubular shaft proximal portion terminates therein, and said ablation instrument further including: a material containing said microwave absorbent disposed about said proximal portion and said transmission line in said cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 1 wherein: said antenna is provided by a helical antenna coil that is adapted to radiate electromagnetic energy in the microwave frequency range.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 17 wherein: the transmission line is a coaxial transmission line suitable for transmission of microwave energy at frequencies in the range of approximately 800 to 6000 megahertz, the coaxial transmission line having a center conductor, a shield and a dielectric material disposed between the center conductor and shield.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
A microwave ablation instrument comprising: a conductive, bendable, malleable tubular shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a transmission line disposed within the tubular shaft, and having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source; an antenna supported by the distal portion of said tubular shaft, and coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation; and a microwave absorbent disposed peripherally around the proximal portion of said tubular shaft to substantially absorb residual microwave radiation transmitted by the proximal portion thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
95 words
A microwave ablation instrument comprising: a conductive, bendable, malleable tubular shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a transmission line disposed within the tubular shaft, and having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source; an antenna supported by the distal portion of said tubular shaft, and coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation; and a microwave absorbent disposed peripherally around the proximal portion of said tubular shaft to substantially absorb residual microwave radiation transmitted by the proximal portion thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 19 further including: a handle mounted to the proximal portion of said tubular shaft.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 20 wherein, said microwave absorbent is integrally formed with said handle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 19 wherein, said microwave absorbent is provided by a silicon based microwave absorbent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 20 wherein, said handle includes an interior wall defining a cavity portion formed and dimensioned for termination of the tubular shaft proximal portion terminates therein.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 23 further including: a material containing said microwave absorbent disposed about said proximal portion and said transmission line in said cavity.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 24 wherein: the transmission line is a coaxial transmission line suitable for transmission of microwave energy at frequencies in the range of approximately 800 to 6000 megahertz, the coaxial transmission line having a center conductor, a shield and a dielectric material disposed between the center conductor and shield.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
93 words
A microwave ablation instrument adapted to ablate tissue comprising: a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source; an antenna, having a longitudinal axis, coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation; and a shield assembly having a central axis and coupled to said antenna to substantially shield a surrounding area of the antenna from the electric field radially generated therefrom, wherein said longitudinal axis of said antenna is off-set from the central axis of said shield assembly.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
93 words
A microwave ablation instrument adapted to ablate tissue comprising: a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source; an antenna, having a longitudinal axis, coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation; and a shield assembly having a central axis and coupled to said antenna to substantially shield a surrounding area of the antenna from the electric field radially generated therefrom, wherein said longitudinal axis of said antenna is off-set from the central axis of said shield assembly.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 26 wherein, said off-set of the antenna longitudinal axis is in a direction away from the shield assembly.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 27 wherein, said shield assembly is configured to cooperate with said antenna to direct a majority of the electric field generated by said antenna out of a window portion thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The microwave ablation instrument according to claim 27 wherein, said off-set of the antenna longitudinal axis positions said antenna in said window portion in a manner substantially proximate to and adjacent the tissue targeted for ablations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4204549A
Cited
EP0048402A1
Cited
EP0139609A1
Cited
US4601296A
Cited
US4641649A
Cited
EP0248758A1
Cited
US4823812A
Cited
US5129396A
Cited
US5246438A
Cited
US6161543A
Cited
US5405346A
Cited
US6004269A
Cited
US6171303B1
Cited
US6027497A
Cited
US5800494A
Cited
US5971983A
Cited
US6086583A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-05 | 2005-05-07 | 2005-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-05 | 2009-05-07 | 2009-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-05 | 2013-05-07 | 2013-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |