Microwave antenna probes and methods of manufacturing microwave antenna probes

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument includes charging a first component to a first voltage, charging a second component to a second voltage such that a pre-determined voltage differential is established between the first and second components, axially moving at least one of the first and second components relative to the other, monitoring an electrical characteristic to determine whether an axial distance between the first and second components is equal to a target axial distance, and retaining the first and second components in fixed position relative to one another once the axial distance between the first and second components is equal to the target axial distance.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A surgical system, comprising:
 a microwave antenna including a radiating section;   an outer jacket disposed about the microwave antenna, the outer jacket defining a proximal end and a distal end;   a trocar engagable with the distal end of the outer jacket in spaced-apart relation relative to the radiating section of the microwave antenna; and   a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic for determining an axial distance between the trocar and the radiating section of the microwave antenna.   
     
     
         19 . The surgical system according to  claim 18 , further comprising a connection hub engaged with the proximal end of the outer jacket. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical system according to  claim 19 , wherein the sensor is disposed within the connection hub. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical system according to  claim 20 , wherein the sensor is removable from the connection hub. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical system according to  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is disposed externally of the outer jacket. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical system according to  claim 22 , wherein the sensor is independently movable relative to the outer jacket. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical system according to  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is a capacitive sensor and the at least one characteristic is capacitance. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical system according to  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is an inductive sensor and the at least one characteristic is inductance. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical system according to  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is a magnetic sensor and the at least one characteristic is a property of a magnetic field. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical system according to  claim 18 , wherein the sensor includes an acoustic transmitter/receiver configured to emit an acoustic signal and detect an acoustic response, and wherein the at least one characteristic is the acoustic response. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical system according to  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to the trocar and the radiating section and is configured to sense a voltage differential therebetween, and wherein the at least one characteristic is the voltage differential. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical system according to  claim 18 , further comprising a controller operably coupled to the sensor and configured to determine the axial distance between the trocar and the radiating section of the microwave antenna based upon the at least one characteristic. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical system according to  claim 29 , wherein the controller is further configured to output an indication of the axial distance between the trocar and the radiating section of the microwave antenna. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical system according to  claim 18 , wherein the trocar is movable relative to the outer jacket to vary the axial distance between the trocar and the radiating section of the microwave antenna prior to engagement of the trocar with the distal end of the outer jacket. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical system according to  claim 31 , wherein engagement of the trocar with the distal end of the outer jacket fixes the axial distance between the trocar and the radiating section of the microwave antenna.