#$%^&*AU2018250420B220191219.pdf#####STEP-DOWN COAXIAL MICROWAVE ABLATION APPLICATORS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SAME ABSTRACT Microwave ablation applicators and methods for manufacturing the microwave ablation applicators are disclosed. A microwave ablation applicator includes a feed-line segment (112), a step-down segment (114), and a radiator base segment (232). The feed-line segment (112) includes a first inner conductor (212), a first dielectric (214) disposed on the first inner conductor (212), and a first outer conductor (216) disposed on the first dielectric (214). The step-down segment (114) includes a second inner conductor (222), a second dielectric (224) disposed on the second inner conductor (222), and a second outer conductor (226) disposed on the second dielectric (224). The radiator base segment (232) includes a third inner conductor (232) disposed on the third inner conductor (232), a third outer conductor (236) disposed on the proximal end of the third dielectric (234) so as to form a feed gap (238) at a distal end of the radiator base segment (232), a balun dielectric (244) disposed on the third outer conductor (236), and a balun outer conductor (246) disposed on the balun dielectric (244).
