A Flexible Microwave Ablation Antenna for Lung Cancer Treatment

A flexible microwave ablation antenna for lung cancer treatment is proposed in this letter. The antenna adopts a flexible dielectric substrate, and has good deformation characteristics. The bending does not affect its radiation characteristics. The flexible ablation antenna was inserted into the lung via a bronchoscopic approach, which can reduce the risk of pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage during ablation. The operating frequency of the antenna is 2.45 GHz. Based on the substrate-integrated coaxial line, a monopole antenna is loaded at the end of the antenna. The monopole is designed in a serpentine structure, effectively shortening the length, and the impedance-matching network is connected with the microstrip line. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed antenna is suitable for local ablation and has a broad application prospect in the treatment of lung tumors.