Re-hydration antenna for ablation

Abstract

A system for use with a microwave antenna includes a microwave antenna configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue and a sensor module in operative communication with the power source and configured to detect a reflectance parameter. The system further includes a jacket adapted to at least partially surround the microwave antenna to define a fluid channel between the jacket and the microwave antenna. A plurality of fluid distribution ports are defined through the jacket and are in fluid communication with the fluid channel to permit the flow of fluid through the jacket. The system further includes a fluid pumping system operably coupled to the power source and configured to selectively provide cooling fluid to the fluid channel for distribution through the fluid distribution ports based on the reflectance parameter.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A microwave ablation device comprising:
 a handle body;   a microwave antenna having a radiating portion, the microwave antenna operatively coupled to the handle body;   an outer jacket surrounding the microwave antenna to define a fluid volume, the outer jacket defining a fluid distribution port in fluid communication with the fluid volume and configured to permit fluid flow into surrounding tissue of a patient; and   a helical-shaped inlet tube encircling the radiating portion of the microwave antenna, the helical-shaped inlet tube in fluid communication with the fluid volume.   
     
     
         22 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 21 , further comprising an inflow tube disposed within the fluid volume defined by the outer jacket. 
     
     
         23 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 22 , wherein the inflow tube is in fluid communication with the fluid volume defined by the outer jacket. 
     
     
         24 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 21 , further comprising a cable connector configured to connect the microwave antenna to an energy source. 
     
     
         25 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 21 , further comprising a temperature sensor operably coupled to the microwave antenna and configured to detect a temperature of the microwave antenna. 
     
     
         26 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 25 , wherein the temperature sensor provides a feedback signal that is used to control operation of the energy source. 
     
     
         27 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 21 , further comprising a temperature sensor operatively coupled to the microwave antenna and configured to detect a temperature of a patient's tissue adjacent the microwave antenna. 
     
     
         28 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 21 , further comprising a sensor module in communication with an energy source and configured to detect a reflectance parameter based on energy applied to tissue by the microwave antenna. 
     
     
         29 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the sensor module provides feedback to the energy source based on the detected reflectance parameter to control operation of the energy source. 
     
     
         30 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 21 , wherein the helical-shaped inlet tube includes a plurality of ports defined therethrough and in fluid communication with the fluid volume. 
     
     
         31 . The microwave ablation device according to  claim 21 , further comprising an outflow tube coupled to the handle body and configured to return cooling fluid from the fluid volume to a cooling fluid source. 
     
     
         32 . A microwave ablation system comprising:
 an energy source; and   a microwave antenna assembly configured to couple to the energy source, the microwave antenna assembly comprising:
 a handle body; 
 a microwave antenna having a radiating portion, the microwave antenna operatively coupled to the handle body; 
 an outer jacket surrounding the microwave antenna to define a fluid volume, the outer jacket defining a fluid distribution port in fluid communication with the fluid volume and configured to permit fluid flow into surrounding tissue of a patient; and 
 a helical-shaped inlet tube encircling the radiating portion of the microwave antenna, the helical-shaped inlet tube in fluid communication with the fluid volume. 
   
     
     
         33 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 32 , wherein the microwave antenna assembly further comprises an inflow tube disposed within the fluid volume defined by the outer jacket. 
     
     
         34 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 33 , wherein the inflow tube is in fluid communication with the fluid volume defined by the outer jacket. 
     
     
         35 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 32 , further comprising a cable connector configured to connect the microwave antenna to the energy source. 
     
     
         36 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 32 , further comprising a temperature sensor operatively coupled to the microwave antenna and configured to detect a temperature of the microwave antenna. 
     
     
         37 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 36 , further comprising a controller, wherein the temperature sensor provides a feedback signal to the controller to control operation of the energy source based at least in part on the feedback signal. 
     
     
         38 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 32 , further comprising a temperature sensor operatively coupled to the microwave antenna and configured to detect a temperature of a patient's tissue adjacent the microwave antenna. 
     
     
         39 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 32 , further comprising a cooling fluid source configured to circulate cooling fluid through the fluid volume. 
     
     
         40 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 32 , wherein the helical-shaped inlet tube of the microwave antenna assembly includes a plurality of ports defined therethrough and in fluid communication with the fluid volume. 
     
     
         41 . The microwave ablation system according to  claim 32 , further comprising an outflow tube coupled to the handle body and configured to return cooling fluid from the fluid volume to a cooling fluid source.