Flexible Microwave Ablation Device with Integrated RF Cut Modality

This paper presents a new flexible RF cut and microwave ablation device for dissection and assisted “tunneling” into the hard surface of a tumour, prior to ablation. The distal applicator structure consists of twin bipolar RF electrodes and a helical “leaky” coaxial microwave antenna. Several antenna embodiments are discussed with associated design challenges presented. Finite element analysis (FEA) simulation, the prototype device and initial ex-vivo evaluation are presented. It is shown that the FEA simulation data corresponded well to the ex-vivo ablation profile. The results successfully validate this concept and its capability of supporting both RF cut and microwave ablation using a single antenna structure.