Composite material braided insulator

Abstract

A ablation probe includes a first electrode; a second electrode; and a dielectric element. The dielectric element is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The dielectric element includes a fiber braid within another material.

1 . An ablation probe, comprising 
 a first electrode;    a second electrode; and    a dielectric element located between the first electrode and the second electrode, the dielectric element including a fiber braid within another material.    
   
   
       2 . The ablation probe according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first electric conductor extending proximally from a distal end coupled to the second electrode, through the dielectric element, through the first electrode to a source of ablation energy.    
   
   
       3 . The ablation probe according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a second electric conductor extending proximally from a distal end coupled to the first electrode to the source of ablation energy.    
   
   
       4 . The ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the probe is formed as a substantially tubular elongated member with each of the first and second electrodes and the dielectric element forming substantially cylindrical portions of the substantially tubular member.  
   
   
       5 . The ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the other material is a polymeric material that includes extruded polyamide.  
   
   
       6 . The ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second electrodes is formed of a metal cannula.  
   
   
       7 . The ablation probe according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second electrodes and the dielectric element are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the elongated member  
   
   
       8 . The ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein a length of the dielectric element is selected to optimize a distance between the first and second electrodes.  
   
   
       9 . The ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the dielectric element is bonded to each of the first and second electrodes using one of an adhesive and Ultra Violet bonding.  
   
   
       10 . The ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the dielectric element includes reduced diameter proximal and distal portions which are received within overlapping portions of the first and second electrodes, respectively.  
   
   
       11 . The ablation probe according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes includes a reduced diameter portion received within an overlapping portion of the dielectric element.  
   
   
       12 . The ablation probe according to  claim 10 , wherein the dielectric element includes a reduced diameter portion, the reduced diameter portion being received within an overlapping portion of at least one of the first and second electrodes.  
   
   
       13 . The ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the dielectric element has a thickness of between about 0.005 inches and about 0.006 inches.  
   
   
       14 . The ablation probe according to  claim 13 , wherein the probe is formed as a substantially tubular elongated member and wherein the tubular member has an inner diameter of about 0.05 inches and an outer diameter of about 0.06 inches.