A microwave ablation antenna assembly (20) incorporates a choke assembly (40) having a dielectric element (42) and a conducting element (48). The conducting element (48) is chosen from a group of elements of fixed length, but with differing electrical lengths for providing cancellation properties for different wavelengths of microwave energy.

An electrosurgical instrument having a microwave ablation antenna dimensioned to be suitable for insertion into a pancreas via a surgical scoping device, to provide a rapid and accurate alternative to known RF ablation techniques. The instrument comprises a radiating tip portion connected at a distal end of a flexible coaxial cable that conveys microwave energy. The radiating tip portion comprises a proximal coaxial transmission line for conveying the microwave energy and a distal needle tip mounted at a distal end of the coaxial transmission line, wherein the distal needle tip operates as a half wavelength transformer. The length of the radiating tip portion may be in the range from 5 mm to 80 mm.

A reservoir for supplying a cooling fluid to a medical ablation probe includes a wall defining a chamber therein, an outlet fluid port and an inlet fluid port each in fluid communication with the chamber, cooling fluid disposed within the chamber, and a thermochromic material thermally coupled to the cooling fluid. The thermochromic material is configured to exhibit a first color when the cooling fluid is below a threshold temperature, and a second color when the cooling fluid is above the threshold temperature.

A thermal accelerant is delivered to a tissue site and localized to modulate the shape, extent or other characteristic of RF or microwave-induced hyperthermia tissue ablation. The accelerant may be provided via an image-guided hand piece or via a lumen added to a microwave antenna, and promotes faster heating, more complete ablation and/or a more extensive treatment region to reduce recurrence of treated cancers, overcoming natural limitations, variations in tissue response and drop-off or thermal loss away from the antenna. The accelerant is delivered as a viscous but heat sensitive fluid, and is fixed in place to provide regions of preferential absorption or heating. Shorter exposure times to heat the far field may allow survival of vulnerable tissue such as vessels, and multiple antennae may be used for effective treatment of irregular or large tumors.

A microwave ablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwave energy and a power splitting device having an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a plurality of outputs. The plurality of outputs are configured to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of energy delivery devices. The power splitting device is configured to selectively divide energy provided from the energy source between the plurality of energy devices.

Microwave ablation systems and methods use a cable assembly including a signal divider device that enables use of multiple microwave antennas through a single channel of a microwave generator. The cable assembly includes a microwave transmission line, a signal divider device having multiple ports coupled to an end portion of the microwave transmission line, an electrical line, and a monitoring circuit coupled to an end portion of the electrical line. The monitoring circuit is configured to acquire information regarding multiple devices coupled to multiple respective ports of the signal divider device and convert the information regarding multiple devices to single channel information. The single channel information is inserted in a communication packet and transmitted to the microwave generator via the electrical line. The signal divider device includes a temperature sensor, which the monitoring circuit monitors to ensure that the temperature of the signal divider device circuitry remains within temperature limits.

Various aspects of the present invention are directed towards apparatuses, systems, and methods that may include a tissue ablation system. The tissue ablation system may include a plurality of ablation devices, each ablation device being configured to provide ablation energy, at least one ablation generator configured to provide ablation power to at least one of the plurality of ablation devices, and a controller configured to cause each of the plurality of ablation devices to selectively receive ablation power and configured to cycle through activation of a plurality of ablation states.

Various aspects of the present invention are directed towards apparatuses, systems, and method that may include a tissue ablation system. The tissue ablation system may include an ablation device, an ablation generator, and a controller configured to initiate a pre-ablation procedure in a medium, and during the pre-ablation procedure monitor temperature data and/or power data.

A device for treating tissue has a plurality of conductors that form one or more transmission lines configured to deliver microwave energy to target tissue. In addition to transmission lines, the device also may include an anchor element used to penetrate the target ablation tissue and anchor the device. A system includes the device, a microwave generator, and a coaxial cable. A biocompatible solution may be injected into the target ablation region to alter tissue properties or to facilitate visualization of the ablation region.

Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.