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High-strength microwave antenna assemblies and methods of use are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and t

High-strength microwave antenna assemblies and methods of use are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. The antenna can be used individually or in combination with multiple antennas to create a combined ablation field. When multiple antennas are used, microwave energy can be applied simultaneously to all the antennas or sequentially between the antennas. Furthermore, to facilitate positioning the antennas in or near the tissue to be treated, RF energy may be applied at the tip of the antenna to assist in cutting through the tissue.

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We claim: 1. A method for delivering microwave energy therapy comprising: providing a first microwave antenna comprising a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each extending therethrough, the inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor; and a distal portion at

We claim: 1. A method for delivering microwave energy therapy comprising: providing a first microwave antenna comprising a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each extending therethrough, the inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor; and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion such that the inner conductor extends at least partially therein, wherein each of the proximal and distal portions are configured to mate together such that the proximal and distal portions are fixedly positioned relative to one another by a mechanically engaging joint coupling the distal portion to the proximal portion; positioning the first microwave antenna in a first position in or near a region of tissue to be treated; positioning at least a second microwave antenna in a second position in or near the region of tissue to be treated; applying microwave energy to the first and second microwave antennas such that a combined ablation region is created about the antennas for treating the region of tissue. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second microwave antenna comprises a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each extending therethrough, the inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor; and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion such that the inner conductor extends at least partially therein, wherein each of the proximal and distal portions are configured to mate together such that the proximal and distal portions are fixedly positioned relative to one another by a mechanically engaging joint coupling the distal portion to the proximal portion. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning a plurality of additional microwave antennas in or near the region of tissue to be treated prior to applying the microwave energy. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the plurality of additional microwave antennas are positioned in a triangular pattern in or near the region of tissue to be treated. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein applying microwave energy comprises simultaneously applying microwave energy to the first and second microwave antennas. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein applying microwave energy comprises sequentially applying microwave energy to the first and second microwave antennas. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the microwave energy is applied sequentially via a channel splitter in electrical communication with a microwave energy generator. 8. The method of claim 6 further comprising cycling the microwave energy between at least the first and second microwave antennas. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning the first microwave antenna comprises applying RF energy to a distal end of the first microwave antenna. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning at least the second microwave antenna comprises applying RF energy to a distal end of at least the second microwave antenna. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein at least the second microwave antenna is positioned parallel to the first microwave antenna. 12. A microwave antenna system for applying microwave energy therapy comprising: at least one microwave antenna comprising a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each extending therethrough, the inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor, and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion such that the inner conductor extends at least partially therein; an energy generator in communication with a proximal end of the microwave antenna; a channel splitter in electrical communication with the microwave energy generator, wherein the channel splitter is adapted to create multiple channels from a single channel received from the energy generator; and a controller in electrical communication with the channel splitter for controlling a cycling rate of the channel splitter, wherein the controller is further adapted to detect whether an electrical connection to the antenna is present. 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the energy generator comprises a microwave energy generator. 14. The system of claim 12 wherein the energy generator comprises an RF energy generator. 15. A microwave antenna system for applying microwave energy therapy comprising: at least one microwave antenna comprising an inner conductor and an outer conductor, wherein the inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor such that the inner conductor extends at least partially therewithin and is slidingly disposed such that a distal portion of the inner conductor is distally extendable past the outer conductor while applying energy to the distal portion. 16. The system of claim 15 further comprising an energy generator in communication with a proximal end of the microwave antenna. 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the energy generator comprises a microwave energy generator. 18. The system of claim 16 wherein the energy generator comprises an RF energy generator. 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the energy applied to the distal portion of the inner conductor comprises RF energy. 20. The system of claim 16 further comprising a channel splitter in electrical communication with the energy generator, wherein the channel splitter is adapted to create multiple channels from a single channel received from the energy generator. 21. The system of claim 20 further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the channel splitter for controlling a cycling rate of the channel splitter. 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the controller is further adapted to detect whether an electrical connection to the antenna is present. 23. The system of claim 21 further comprising a choke disposed at least partially over the outer conductor. 24. The system of claim 15 wherein the inner conductor has an insulative coating over at least a majority of the inner conductor and wherein a distal tip of the inner conductor is uncovered by the insulative coating. 25. A method for delivering microwave energy therapy comprising: providing a first microwave antenna comprising a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each extending therethrough, the inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor; and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion such that the inner conductor extends at least partially therein, wherein each of the proximal and distal portions are configured to mate together such that the proximal and distal portions are fixedly positioned relative to one another by a mechanically engaging joint coupling the distal portion to the proximal portion; positioning the first microwave antenna in a first position in or near a region of tissue to be treated; positioning at least a second microwave antenna in a second position in or near the region of tissue to be treated; applying microwave energy to each of at least the first and second microwave antennas for treating the region of tissue. 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the second microwave antenna comprises a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each extending therethrough, the inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor; and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion such that the inner conductor extends at least partially therein, wherein each of the proximal and distal portions are configured to mate together such that the proximal and distal portions are fixedly positioned relative to one another by a mechanically engaging joint coupling the distal portion to the proximal portion. 27. The method of claim 25 further comprising positioning a plurality of additional microwave antennas in or near the region of tissue to be treated prior to applying the microwave energy. 28. The method of claim 25 wherein applying microwave energy comprises simultaneously applying microwave energy to the first and second microwave antennas. 29. The method of claim 28 wherein applying microwave energy comprises applying the microwave energy via microwave energy generators each being electrically coupled to a corresponding microwave antenna. 30. The method of claim 25 wherein applying microwave energy comprises sequentially applying microwave energy to the first and second microwave antennas. 31. The method of claim 30 wherein applying microwave energy comprises applying the microwave energy via microwave energy generators each being electrically coupled to a corresponding microwave antenna. 32. A microwave antenna system for applying microwave energy therapy comprising: at least one microwave antenna comprising a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each extending therethrough, the inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor, and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion such that the inner conductor extends at least partially therein, and wherein the distal portion has an insulative coating over at least a majority of the distal portion and wherein a distal tip is uncovered by the insulative coating; an energy generator in communication with a proximal end of the microwave antenna; and a channel splitter in electrical communication with the microwave energy generator, wherein the channel splitter is adapted to create multiple channels from a single channel received from the energy generator. 33. The system of claim 32 wherein the energy generator comprises a microwave energy generator. 34. The system of claim 32 wherein the energy generator comprises an RF energy generator. 35. A microwave antenna system for applying microwave energy therapy comprising: at least one microwave antenna comprising a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each extending therethrough, the inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor, and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion such that the inner conductor extends at least partially therein, wherein the inner conductor is slidingly disposed within the outer conductor such that a distal portion of the inner conductor is distally extendable past the distal portion; an energy generator in communication with a proximal end of the microwave antenna; and a channel splitter in electrical communication with the microwave energy generator, wherein the channel splitter is adapted to create multiple channels from a single channel received from the energy generator. 36. The system of claim 35 wherein the energy generator comprises a microwave energy generator. 37. The system of claim 36 wherein the energy generator comprises an RF energy generator. 38. A microwave antenna system for applying microwave energy therapy comprising: at least one microwave antenna comprising a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each extending therethrough, the inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor, and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion such that the inner conductor extends at least partially therein, wherein each of the proximal and distal portions are configured to mate together such that the proximal and distal portions are fixedly positioned relative to one another by a mechanically engaging joint coupling the distal portion to the proximal portion; an energy generator in communication with a proximal end of the microwave antenna; and a channel splitter in electrical communication with the microwave energy generator, wherein the channel splitter is adapted to create multiple channels from a single channel received from the energy generator. 39. The system of claim 38 wherein the energy generator comprises a microwave energy generator. 40. The system of claim 38 wherein the energy generator comprises an RF energy generator.