Spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback and ablation system

Abstract

The invention discloses a spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback and an ablation system. The ablation probe comprises a spinal tumor ablation electrode used for outputting radiofrequency ablation energy, a water cooling circulation module used for uniformly cooling the spinal tumor ablation electrode, and a thermal field feedback sensor used for collecting and feeding back the temperature of the position pointed by the spinal tumor ablation electrode, and one end of the water cooling circulation module is arranged in the spinal tumor ablation electrode; the thermal field feedback sensor penetrates through the head end and the tail end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode, one end of the thermal field feedback sensor is fixed to the head end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode, and the tail end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode is connected with one end of the radio frequency signal transmission line. According to the spinal metastatic tumor ablation device, while precise ablation of spinal tumors is achieved, real-time precise control over the intraoperative temperature field is achieved, ablation heat damage is reduced, and the safety and effectiveness of spinal metastatic tumor ablation are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a spinal tumor targeted ablation probe and ablation system with thermal field feedback, belonging to the field of biomedical engineering. Background Technology

[0002] Spinal metastases are a common complication of advanced malignant tumors, with over 90% of patients experiencing intractable pain. Traditional radiotherapy has an efficacy rate of only 33%, while stereotactic radiotherapy, although improving efficacy, has a postoperative fracture rate of up to 30%. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has shown significant efficacy in fields such as liver cancer, but its application in the spine faces challenges—the anatomical characteristics of adjacent nerves make intraoperative temperature control crucial; thermal damage can lead to neurological dysfunction, and reducing ablation power to avoid nerve damage would affect efficacy. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is: how to accurately control the ablation temperature and avoid ablation thermal damage when performing radiofrequency ablation on spinal tumors.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution of the present invention is to provide a spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback, characterized in that it includes a spinal tumor ablation electrode for outputting radiofrequency ablation energy, a water-cooling circulation module for uniformly cooling the spinal tumor ablation electrode, and a thermal field feedback sensor for collecting and feeding back the temperature at the location indicated by the spinal tumor ablation electrode. One end of the water-cooling circulation module is located inside the spinal tumor ablation electrode, and the other end of the water-cooling circulation module is located outside the spinal tumor ablation electrode. The thermal field feedback sensor passes through both ends of the spinal tumor ablation electrode. One end of the thermal field feedback sensor is fixed to the head end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode, and the tail end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode is connected to one end of a radio frequency signal transmission line.

[0005] Preferably, the water-cooled circulation module includes an outlet capillary, an outlet circulation pipe, a storage bottle, a peristaltic pump, an inlet circulation pipe, and an inlet capillary connected in sequence according to the water flow direction. The other ends of the outlet capillary and the inlet capillary are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet ends of the spinal tumor ablation electrode cavity.

[0006] Preferably, both the outlet capillary and the inlet capillary are fixed to the spinal tumor ablation electrode, and the other end of the inlet capillary extends into the spinal tumor ablation electrode to the front of the spinal tumor ablation electrode, while the outlet capillary is located at the tail of the spinal tumor ablation electrode.

[0007] Preferably, the peristaltic pump is a high-pressure, high-flow peristaltic pump; the outlet capillary and the inlet capillary are rigid capillary metal tubes; the inner diameter of the capillary metal tube is less than 0.35 mm.

[0008] Preferably, the spinal tumor ablation electrode includes a multi-level ablation electrode, an electrical isolation sleeve, and a radio frequency signal transmission line. The multi-level ablation electrode includes at least two electrodes, and each electrode of the multi-level ablation electrode is a coaxial metal tube. The electrodes are coaxially nested together, and an electrical isolation sleeve is provided between any two adjacent electrodes and on the outside of the outermost electrode. Each electrode is connected to a radio frequency signal transmission line.

[0009] Preferably, the front and rear portions of the spinal tumor ablation electrode are stepped structures, with the middle position of the spinal tumor ablation electrode being the highest step, and each step being formed between any adjacent electrode and the electrical isolation sleeve.

[0010] Preferably, the head of the innermost electrode located within the spinal tumor ablation electrode is a conical tube, forming a puncture-force conical structure. A small hole is opened in the center of the conical tube, and one end of the thermal field feedback sensor passes through the spinal tumor ablation electrode and exits through the small hole and is fixedly connected to form an ablation probe tip with puncture force.

[0011] Preferably, the thermal field feedback sensor includes a thermal field sensor positioning tube, with a thermal field sensing part fixed at the end of the thermal field sensor positioning tube. A temperature transmission line is threaded through the thermal field sensor positioning tube, and one end of the temperature transmission line is connected to the thermal field sensing part. One end of the thermal field sensor positioning tube extends out from the head end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode and is fixedly connected to the head end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode. The thermal field sensing part is located in front of the head end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode.

[0012] An ablation system is characterized by comprising a spinal tumor-targeting ablation probe with thermal field feedback, a control module, and a radio frequency energy output device. The radio frequency energy output device is connected to the other end of a radio frequency signal transmission line. The control module is connected to the radio frequency energy output device, the other end of a thermal field feedback sensor, and a peristaltic pump included in a water-cooled circulation module. The control module controls the peristaltic pump and the radio frequency energy output device to start, and simultaneously receives the temperature signal from the thermal field feedback sensor. Based on the temperature signal, the control module controls the radio frequency energy transmitted by the radio frequency energy output device through the radio frequency signal transmission line, thereby controlling the ablation temperature of the probe.

[0013] Based on the actual distribution principle of radiofrequency thermal field, this invention proposes a spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback. It aims to achieve precise ablation of spinal tumors while realizing real-time and precise control of the temperature field during the operation, reducing ablation thermal damage, and improving the safety and effectiveness of spinal metastasis ablation.

[0014] The spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback provided by this invention has a simple structure and is easy to use. During the spinal tumor ablation process, a temperature sensor designed at a specific point can collect the temperature of the ablated tissue in real time and provide feedback on its thermal field. Based on the collected temperature and the energy applied to the radiofrequency electrode, precise control of the thermal field can be achieved during the ablation process. This allows for precise control of the tumor ablation process and ablation boundary, enabling precise ablation and temperature control of spinal tumors. This helps to improve targeted conformal therapy for spinal tumors, increase treatment efficiency and effectiveness, and reduce surgical risks. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback;

[0016] Figure 2 The image shows the ablation effect of lean pork provided in the example.

[0017] Icons: 1-Water-cooled circulation module, 2-Spinal tumor ablation probe, 3-Thermal field feedback sensor, 11-Outlet capillary, 12-Inlet capillary, 13-Outlet circulation pipe, 14-Inlet circulation pipe, 15-Peristaltic pump, 16-Reservoir bottle, 21-First ablation electrode, 22-First electrical insulation sleeve, 23-Second ablation electrode, 24-Second electrical insulation sleeve, 25-RF signal transmission line, 31-Thermal field sensor positioning tube, 32-Temperature transmission line, 33-Thermal field sensing part. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] This invention provides a spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes a water-cooled circulation module 1, a spinal tumor ablation electrode 2, and a thermal field feedback sensor 3.

[0020] The water-cooled circulation module 1 is used to remove excess heat from the probe with constant cooling during the ablation process, which also helps to more accurately control the radiofrequency ablation energy applied to the tissue, and prevents uneven energy (thermal field) during the ablation process and carbonization of some tissue near the probe electrode.

[0021] The spinal tumor ablation electrode 2 is used to precisely deliver radiofrequency ablation energy to the spinal tumor for ablation, effectively killing the tumor.

[0022] The thermal field feedback sensor 3 serves as one of the feedback control signals during the probe ablation process. It collects the temperature of a specific point in the ablated tissue in real time (i.e., the tissue temperature at a specific location during the ablation process), and then transmits the temperature to the ablation system to provide feedback on the real-time thermal field temperature. This allows for real-time control of the radiofrequency energy output, achieving the goal of precise treatment.

[0023] In this embodiment, the water-cooled circulation module 1 includes an outlet capillary tube 11, an inlet capillary tube 12, an outlet circulation pipe 13, an inlet circulation pipe 14, a peristaltic pump 15, and a storage bottle 16. The outlet capillary tube 11, the outlet circulation pipe 13, the storage bottle 16, the peristaltic pump 15, the inlet circulation pipe 14, and the inlet capillary tube 12 are connected sequentially according to the direction of water flow. The other ends of the outlet capillary tube 11 and the inlet capillary tube 12 are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet ends of the inner cavity of the spinal tumor ablation electrode 2.

[0024] Both the outlet capillary 11 and the inlet capillary 12 are fixed on the spinal tumor ablation electrode 2, and the other end of the inlet capillary 12 extends into the spinal tumor ablation electrode 2 to the front part of the spinal tumor ablation electrode 2 (located at the front end of the first electrical insulating sleeve 22 in the figure), while the outlet capillary 11 is located at the tail part inside the spinal tumor ablation electrode 2.

[0025] During the ablation process, the peristaltic pump 15 is activated, controlling the water in the water-cooled circulation pipes (i.e., the outlet circulation pipe 13 and the inlet circulation pipe 14) to flow at a constant rate, carrying the low-temperature water in the storage bottle 16 into the probe. This removes excess heat, achieving better energy control while reducing tissue carbonization. Specifically, the water in the storage bottle 16 flows at a constant rate along the inlet circulation pipe 14 to the inlet capillary 12. Through the inlet capillary 12, the cooling water is transferred to the spinal tumor ablation electrode 2, removing some of the heat inside the electrode. The water then exits through the outlet capillary 11 and returns to the storage bottle 16 along the outlet circulation pipe 13.

[0026] The peristaltic pump 15 is a high-pressure, high-flow peristaltic pump that drives the water-cooling circulation inside the water-cooled capillary tube and continuously drives the operation of the water-cooling circulation module 1 at a constant speed. The water-cooled capillary tube (i.e., the outlet capillary tube 11 and the inlet capillary tube 12) is made of rigid capillary metal tube, which transmits cooling water to a specific location. The inner diameter of the capillary metal tube is less than 0.35 mm.

[0027] The spinal tumor ablation electrode 2 includes a multi-level ablation electrode, an electrical isolation sleeve, and a radio frequency signal transmission line 25. The radio frequency signal transmission line 25 transmits radio frequency signals to the multi-level ablation electrode, thereby acting on the tumor tissue to be ablated.

[0028] Each electrode in the multi-level ablation electrode system employs a thin-walled coaxial metal tube design. The electrodes are coaxially nested together, and electrical isolation sleeves are used to isolate adjacent electrodes and the outermost electrode. The spacing and size of the electrodes are adjusted by changing the relative positions of these isolation sleeves. This arrangement of the isolation sleeves and electrode metal tubes allows for the design of the multi-level radiofrequency ablation electrode system. Specifically, the front and rear sections of the outer side of the spinal tumor ablation electrode 2 have a stepped structure, with the highest step located in the middle. Each step is formed by the interaction between any adjacent electrodes and the isolation sleeves.

[0029] The electrical isolation bushing uses an ultra-thin polymer material with high insulation, which may be one or more of PI, PET, and PFT, among others.

[0030] The thermal field feedback sensor 3 internally includes at least a fast-response micro thermocouple (i.e., temperature transmission line 32) and a microchannel metal tube (i.e., thermal field sensor positioning tube 31). The micro thermocouple is installed inside the microchannel metal tube and is designed with good thermal conductivity between it and the microchannel metal tube. The micro thermocouple is connected to the temperature transmission line 32 and transmits signals through the temperature transmission line 32.

[0031] The thermal field sensing part 33 of the thermal field feedback sensor 3 extends through the radio frequency ablation probe electrode and is installed at a specific distance from the needle tip to sense the temperature in the ablated tissue. During the ablation process, it penetrates deep into the tissue to provide real-time feedback on the tissue thermal field temperature.

[0032] The thermal field feedback sensor 3 includes a thermal field sensor positioning tube 31, with a thermal field sensing part 33 fixed at the end of the thermal field sensor positioning tube 31. A temperature transmission line 32 is threaded through the thermal field sensor positioning tube 31, with one end of the temperature transmission line 32 connected to the thermal field sensing part 33 and the other end connected to the control module of the ablation system.

[0033] The probe also includes a contrast ring, which is used to position the radiofrequency electrode during the ablation process and to accurately puncture the tissue to be ablated.

[0034] In this embodiment, the multi-stage ablation electrode consists of a first ablation electrode 21 and a second ablation electrode 23, i.e., two-stage ablation electrodes; the electrical isolation sleeve located between the first ablation electrode 21 and the second ablation electrode 23 is the first electrical insulation sleeve 22, and the electrical isolation sleeve located outside the second ablation electrode 23 is the second electrical insulation sleeve 24.

[0035] A first electrical insulating sleeve 22 is placed between the metal tube of the first ablation electrode 21 and the second ablation electrode 23, with a certain relative position (i.e., both ends of the first electrical insulating sleeve 22 are exposed above the ends of the second ablation electrode 23, and both ends of the metal tube of the first ablation electrode 21 are exposed above the ends of the first electrical insulating sleeve 22), forming two electrodes. A second electrical insulating sleeve 24 is tightly fitted onto the metal tube of the second ablation electrode 23 to form electrical insulation. Radio frequency signal transmission lines 25 are designed at the tail ends of the metal tubes of the first ablation electrode 21 and the second ablation electrode 23, respectively, for transmitting radio frequency energy. The other ends of the outlet capillary 11 and the inlet capillary 12 are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet ends of the inner cavity of the first ablation electrode 21.

[0036] The head of the first insulating electrode 21 adopts a tube-shrinking design to form a cone shape with puncture force. At the same time, a small hole is drilled in the middle of the tube, and the thermal field sensor positioning tube 31 in the thermal field feedback sensor 3 passes through the middle of the metal tube of the first ablation electrode 21 and comes out from the needle tip of the tube head. The thermal field sensing part 33 on the thermal field feedback sensor 3 is kept at a specific distance from the needle tip of the first ablation electrode 21. Then, the thermal field sensor positioning tube 31 and the needle tip of the first ablation electrode 21 are welded together to form an ablation probe needle tip with a certain puncture force.

[0037] The thermocouple is installed inside a metal tube, which is connected to the first ablation electrode and conducts radio frequency current. After the metal tube that fixes the thermocouple comes into contact with the tissue, the thermal field of the tissue is measured directly, not the thermal field of the ablation electrode. Although the ablation electrode is connected to the metal tube that fixes the thermocouple, the temperature of the ablation electrode is not measured. Firstly, the initial rise in radio frequency ablation temperature comes from the tissue, not the electrode. In fact, the physical distance between the ablation electrode and the thermocouple is relatively far, and it takes a long time for heat to transfer. Moreover, since the ablation electrode is inside the tissue, it is basically impossible to measure the tissue of the ablation electrode.

[0038] The present invention also provides an ablation system with thermal field feedback, including an ablation probe, a control module, and a radio frequency energy output device. The radio frequency energy output device is connected to each radio frequency signal transmission line 25. The control module is connected to the radio frequency energy output device, the temperature transmission line 32, and the peristaltic pump 15. After receiving a start signal, the control module controls the peristaltic pump 15 to start and sends a start signal to the radio frequency energy output device. At the same time, it receives the temperature signal transmitted from the temperature transmission line 32 and controls the radio frequency energy transmitted by the radio frequency energy output device through the radio frequency signal transmission line 25 according to the temperature signal, thereby controlling the ablation temperature of the probe.

[0039] The working principle of this invention is as follows:

[0040] During operation, the peristaltic pump 15 is first turned on to drive the water cooling circulation, so that the inner tube of the spinal ablation probe is in a constant cooling temperature environment. Then, the radio frequency signal output is controlled, and the thermal field feedback sensor 3 collects the temperature in the ablated tissue in real time. The ablation system will adjust the output power of the next working cycle based on the collected temperature feedback of the thermal field of the tissue. The system can quickly achieve a radio frequency output power response at the millisecond level. At the same time, it controls the internal temperature of the tissue to rise to a specific temperature at a constant heating rate and then maintains it, thereby controlling the temperature field around the thermal field feedback sensor 3. Thus, boundary temperature control can be achieved based on the temperature gradient relationship, thereby achieving precise tumor ablation temperature control.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the same control strategy was applied to isolated pig liver and chicken breast, with each group undergoing three ablation cycles. It can be observed that the ablation areas were essentially consistent, with smooth, ellipsoidal ablation boundaries. This invention proposes a spinal tumor-targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback, which can effectively control both ablation temperature and tumor boundaries, thus improving clinical outcomes.

Claims

1. A spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback, characterized in that, The device includes a spinal tumor ablation electrode (2) for outputting radiofrequency ablation energy, a water-cooling circulation module (1) for uniformly cooling the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2), and a thermal field feedback sensor (3) for collecting and feeding back the temperature at the location indicated by the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2). One end of the water-cooling circulation module (1) is located inside the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2), and the other end of the water-cooling circulation module (1) is located outside the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2). The thermal field feedback sensor (3) passes through both ends of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2). One end of the thermal field feedback sensor (3) is fixed to the head end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2), and the tail end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2) is connected to one end of the radiofrequency signal transmission line (25).

2. The spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water-cooled circulation module (1) includes an outlet capillary (11), an outlet circulation pipe (13), a storage bottle (16), a peristaltic pump (15), an inlet circulation pipe (14), and an inlet capillary (12) connected in sequence according to the water flow direction. The other ends of the outlet capillary (11) and the inlet capillary (12) are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet ends of the inner cavity of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2).

3. The spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The water outlet capillary (11) and the water inlet capillary (12) are both fixed on the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2), and the other end of the water inlet capillary (12) extends into the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2) to the front of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2), while the water outlet capillary (11) is located at the tail end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2).

4. The spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The peristaltic pump (15) is a high-pressure, high-flow peristaltic pump; the outlet capillary tube (11) and the inlet capillary tube (12) are rigid capillary metal tubes; the inner diameter of the capillary metal tube is less than 0.35 mm.

5. The spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The spinal tumor ablation electrode (2) includes a multi-level ablation electrode, an electrical isolation sleeve, and a radio frequency signal transmission line (25). The multi-level ablation electrode includes at least two electrodes, and each electrode of the multi-level ablation electrode is a coaxial metal tube. The electrodes are coaxially nested together, and an electrical isolation sleeve is provided between any two adjacent electrodes and on the outside of the outermost electrode. Each electrode is connected to a radio frequency signal transmission line (25).

6. The spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The front and rear parts of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2) are stepped structures, and the middle position of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2) is the highest step. Each step is formed between any adjacent electrode and the electrical isolation sleeve.

7. A spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The head of the innermost electrode located inside the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2) is a conical tube, forming a puncture-force conical structure. A small hole is opened in the center of the conical tube. One end of the thermal field feedback sensor (3) passes through the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2) and exits through the small hole and is fixedly connected to form an ablation probe tip with puncture force.

8. The spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thermal field feedback sensor (3) includes a thermal field sensor positioning tube (31), a thermal field sensing part (33) is fixed at the end of the thermal field sensor positioning tube (31), a temperature transmission line (32) is passed through the thermal field sensor positioning tube (31), and one end of the temperature transmission line (32) is connected to the thermal field sensing part (33); one end of the thermal field sensor positioning tube (31) passes through the head end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2) and is fixedly connected to the head end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2), and the thermal field sensing part (33) is located on the front side of the head end of the spinal tumor ablation electrode (2).

9. An ablation system, characterized in that, The spinal tumor targeted ablation probe with thermal field feedback as described in any one of claims 1-8 further includes a control module and a radio frequency energy output device. The radio frequency energy output device is connected to the other end of the radio frequency signal transmission line (25). The control module is connected to the other end of the radio frequency energy output device, the thermal field feedback sensor (3), and the peristaltic pump (15) included in the water cooling circulation module (1). The control module controls the peristaltic pump (15) and the radio frequency energy output device to start, and at the same time receives the temperature signal from the thermal field feedback sensor (3). Based on the temperature signal, the control module controls the radio frequency energy transmitted by the radio frequency energy output device through the radio frequency signal transmission line (25), thereby controlling the ablation temperature of the probe.

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