MICROWAVE ABLATION CATHETER ASSEMBLY, METHOD OF ELECTROSURGICALLY TREATING TARGET TISSUE, AND MICROWAVE ABLATION SYSTEM

摘要

A microwave ablation catheter assembly (16) is provided. A coaxial cable (38) configured to connect to a microwave energy source (90) at its proximal end (41) and its distal end (44) to a distal radiating section (42). The coaxial cable (38) includes inner and outer conductors (40, 32) and a dielectric (50) positioned therebetween. An extended working channel (18) is configured to receive the coaxial cable (38) for positioning the coaxial cable (38) adjacent target tissue (T). At least a portion of an inner surface (28) of the extended working channel (18) is electrically conductive. The electrically conductive inner surface (28) of the extended working channel (18) may function as a balun to maintain a balanced signal between the inner and outer conductors (40, 32) of the coaxial cable (38) when the distal radiating section (42) of the coaxial cable (38) is energized.