US 12,268,440 B2
Minimally invasive microwave ablation device
Austin Pfannenstiel, Manhattan, KS (US); Hojjatollah Fallahi, Manhattan, KS (US); and Punit Prakash, Manhattan, KS (US)
Assigned to KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, Manhattan, KS (US)
Filed by Kansas State University Research Foundation, Manhattan, KS (US); and Precision Microwave Inc., Manhattan, KS (US)
Filed on Sep. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/465,169.
Application 17/465,169 is a continuation of application No. 16/881,780, filed on May 22, 2020, granted, now 11,135,010.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/852,671, filed on May 24, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0393328 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 18/18 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1815 (2013.01) [A61B 2018/00077 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00595 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00821 (2013.01); A61B 2018/183 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1861 (2013.01); A61B 2218/002 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for ablating a target tissue within an organ of a body comprising:
inserting a directional microwave ablation device into the body containing the target tissue to be ablated, the directional microwave ablation device being configured to provide a directional pattern for delivery of electromagnetic energy to the target tissue,
positioning the device in direct contact with, but without penetrating, the organ; and
activating the device thereby causing an antenna to emit electromagnetic energy that is sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation,
wherein the electromagnetic energy is directed toward the target tissue within the adjacent organ and away from the tissue surrounding the organ,
wherein the directional microwave ablation device includes
a cylindrical elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a constant diameter that houses the antenna and one or more electrically conductive members configured to help generate the directional pattern and shield the tissue surrounding the organ from the electromagnetic energy,
a device tip positioned at the distal end and configured to transmit the electromagnetic energy to the target tissue, and
a reinforcement plug or a rigid spacer positioned at the distal end and configured to support the electrically conductive members and the device tip.