Needle assembly and ablation needle
By setting a notch at the front end of the ablation needle kit and using shape memory alloy material, the ablation needle can bend while being inserted during the operation, which solves the problem of low aiming accuracy of existing ablation needles and improves surgical efficiency and safety.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LEAPMED MEDICAL TECH
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing ablation needles are rigid straight needles that cannot be bent, resulting in low aiming accuracy. Multiple needles are required to complete the surgery, which leads to low surgical efficiency and increases the risk of tumor implantation, metastasis, and complications.
A notch is provided at the front end of the kit, covering part of the electrode needle, so that it can bend under external force (such as thermal stress). Combined with the self-correcting structure of the shape memory alloy material, the needle assembly can bend while the needle is being inserted during the operation, improving aiming accuracy.
It improves the precision of needle aiming, enabling the ablation of atypical or adjacent tumors in a single procedure, thereby increasing surgical efficiency and reducing the risk of tumor implantation, metastasis, and complications.
Smart Images
Figure CN224112750U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically to a needle assembly and an ablation needle. Background Technology
[0002] Thermal ablation is an image-guided technique in which a microwave (or radiofrequency) ablation needle is percutaneously inserted into the tumor lesion. The tumor cells are coagulated and killed by heat, thus achieving the goal of tumor treatment.
[0003] To avoid needle tract implantation, an ablation needle can usually only be used once. Since existing ablation needles are generally rigid straight needles with no bend at the tip, ablation can only be performed along the straight line of the needle. When encountering some atypical or multiple adjacent tumors, the aiming accuracy of a single ablation needle is low, requiring two or more ablation needles to complete the surgery. This results in low surgical efficiency and increases the risk of tumor implantation, metastasis, and related complications. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address at least one of the problems mentioned in the background art, this utility model provides a needle assembly and an ablation needle. The front end of the needle assembly can bend in a preset direction while inserting the needle during the operation, resulting in high needle aiming accuracy and improved surgical efficiency.
[0005] The specific technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows:
[0006] In a first aspect, a needle assembly is provided, including an electrode needle and a kit. The electrode needle is disposed within the kit, and the front end of the electrode needle extends out of the front end of the kit. The front end of the kit has a notch that covers a first part of the electrode needle. The first part of the electrode needle is connected to the front end of the electrode needle. When subjected to an external force, the front end of the kit can bend together with the first part of the electrode needle and the front end of the electrode needle toward one side of the notch.
[0007] By employing the above technical solution, the needle assembly of this utility model has a notch at the front end of the kit, which covers the first part of the electrode needle. When the front end of the kit is subjected to external force, including the thermal stress generated when the electrode needle conducts electricity and heats up, the front end of the kit, guided by the notch, can bend together with the first part of the electrode needle and the front end of the electrode needle toward one side of the notch. The direction of one side of the notch is a preset direction. Before surgery, the orientation of the notch can be adjusted by rotating the needle assembly, thereby adjusting the preset direction to match the specified direction of bending of the needle assembly during surgery, thus meeting different surgical needs. The front end of the needle assembly of this utility model can bend toward the preset direction while inserting the needle during surgery, resulting in high needle aiming accuracy and improved surgical efficiency.
[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the above solution, the front end of the kit is a self-correcting structure, which can restore the pre-bending state together with the first part of the electrode needle and the front end of the electrode needle after the external force is removed.
[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, the self-correcting structure is composed of shape memory alloy material.
[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the above solution, the cross-section of the notch is a groove-shaped structure, which includes a groove opening and a groove bottom. The width of the groove opening is greater than the width of the groove bottom. When subjected to external force, the front end of the kit can bend together with the first part of the electrode needle and the front end of the electrode needle in the direction from the groove bottom to the groove opening.
[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, the first part of the electrode needle and the front end of the electrode needle are flexible structures.
[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the above solution, the electrode needle includes a first electrode needle and a second electrode needle, the first electrode needle is disposed inside the second electrode needle, the front end of the first electrode needle extends out of the second electrode needle, and the second electrode needle is disposed within the kit.
[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, the first electrode needle and / or the second electrode needle are spring structures.
[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the above solution, the needle assembly further includes a first insulating member and a second insulating member, with the first insulating member provided between the first electrode needle and the second electrode needle, and the second insulating member provided between the second electrode needle and the kit.
[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the above solution, the first insulating element includes a first insulating layer and an insulating ring, the insulating ring being sleeved outside the first insulating layer, the front end of the first electrode needle including a connected protrusion and a protruding head, the protruding head extending out of the first insulating layer, and the insulating ring being located between the front end of the second electrode needle and the protruding head.
[0016] Secondly, an ablation needle is provided, including the needle assembly, needle base, wire, and interface as described above. The needle base is provided with an indicator for indicating the bending direction of the front end of the kit. The front end of the wire is connected to the rear end of the electrode needle through the needle base, and the rear end of the wire is connected to the interface. The external force includes thermal stress generated when the electrode needle conducts electricity and heats up.
[0017] By employing the above technical solution, the ablation needle of this invention features a notch at the front end of the kit, which covers the first part of the electrode needle. During ablation, when the electrode needle conducts electricity and generates heat, the kit also experiences thermal stress. Guided by the notch, the front end of the kit bends towards one side of the notch under this thermal stress, causing the first part of the electrode needle and the front end of the electrode needle to bend together towards the notch. The direction of the notch is a preset direction, pointing towards a preset tumor location. Before ablation, the orientation of the notch can be adjusted by rotating the needle assembly, thereby adjusting the preset direction to match the specified tumor location, thus meeting the needs of different ablation locations. The front end of the ablation needle of this invention can bend towards the preset direction during tumor ablation, resulting in high needle aiming accuracy. It can ablate heterologous tumors or multiple adjacent tumors in one procedure, improving ablation efficiency and reducing the risk of tumor implantation metastasis and related complications. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0019] Figure 1 This is a top view of the structure of the ablation needle of this utility model in a straight state;
[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the side view structure;
[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a partial structure;
[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along line AA;
[0023] Figure 5 This is a top view of the structure of the ablation needle of this utility model in a bent state;
[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the side view structure;
[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a partial structure;
[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along line AA. Detailed Implementation
[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0028] It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," and "bottom," etc., used in this specification to indicate orientation or positional relationships are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0029] As described in the background section, thermal ablation is an image-guided technique in which a microwave (or radiofrequency) ablation needle is percutaneously inserted into the tumor lesion. The tumor cells are coagulated and necrotic through heat, thus achieving the therapeutic goal.
[0030] The principle behind microwave ablation electrodes is to treat diseases by applying microwave energy to tissues. It works by transmitting microwave energy into the tissue, causing it to reach high temperatures, thereby ablating tumors and killing cancer cells. Microwave ablation electrodes deliver microwave energy to the patient's body through conductive materials, typically metals such as copper or aluminum. During transmission, the microwave energy is converted into heat energy by the tissue's resistance, raising the tissue temperature and achieving the therapeutic effect.
[0031] Radiofrequency ablation technology mainly relies on radiofrequency therapy devices with ablation and cutting functions, and its treatment mechanism is mainly thermal effect. When radiofrequency current flows through human tissue, the rapid change of electromagnetic field causes polarized water molecules in the tissue to move at high speed, generating heat (i.e., endogenous thermal effect), which causes the water inside and outside the cells to evaporate, dry, shrink and slough off, resulting in aseptic necrosis, thereby achieving the purpose of treatment.
[0032] To avoid needle tract implantation, an ablation needle is typically used only once. However, existing ablation needles are generally rigid straight needles with inflexible tips, allowing ablation only along a straight line. When encountering atypical or multiple adjacent tumors, the aiming accuracy of a single needle is low, requiring two or more needles to complete the procedure, resulting in low efficiency and increased risks of tumor implantation, metastasis, and related complications. The ablation needle of this invention allows the tip to bend in a predetermined direction during tumor ablation, providing high aiming accuracy and enabling the ablation of atypical tumors or multiple adjacent tumors in a single procedure. This improves ablation efficiency and reduces the risk of tumor implantation, metastasis, and related complications. This invention can be used for both microwave and radiofrequency ablation. The embodiments of this invention are described in detail below, where the tip refers to… Figure 1 The arrow in the image points upwards. Figure 2 The direction of the arrow in the image.
[0033] Example 1
[0034] See Figure 1 This utility model provides a needle assembly, including an electrode needle 1 and a kit 2. The electrode needle 1 is disposed within the kit 2, and the front end 11 of the electrode needle extends out of the front end 21 of the kit. The front end 21 of the kit has a notch 22, which covers the first part 12 of the electrode needle. The first part 12 of the electrode needle is connected to the front end 11 of the electrode needle. When subjected to external force, the front end 21 of the kit can bend together with the first part 12 and the front end 11 of the electrode needle toward one side of the notch 22. In this embodiment, the kit 2 is an outer sleeve of the electrode needle 1, and multiple notches 22 are provided, which are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the kit 2 at the front end 21 of the kit.
[0035] The front end 21 of the kit is a self-correcting structure. After the external force is removed, the front end of the kit, together with the first part 12 of the electrode needle and the front end 11 of the electrode needle, can return to their original state before bending. The self-correcting structure is composed of shape memory alloy material. Shape memory alloy is a special alloy material with shape memory effect. It can recover its original shape under specific temperature conditions through thermoelastic and martensitic phase transformation and its inversion. This alloy is composed of two or more metallic elements. Nickel-titanium alloy is a common shape memory alloy material, such as nickel-titanium alloy. The self-correcting structure can bend towards one side of the notch 22 under the action of external force, and drive the first part 12 of the electrode needle and the front end 11 of the electrode needle to bend towards one side of the notch 22 together. When the external force is removed, the self-correcting structure can restore its original shape, and drive the first part 12 of the electrode needle and the front end 11 of the electrode needle to restore their original shape together. For example, the original shape of the front end 21 of the kit, the first part 12 of the electrode needle, and the front end 11 of the electrode needle are all straight. In this embodiment, the external force includes the thermal stress generated when the electrode needle 1 conducts electricity and heats up. Under the action of thermal stress, the front end 21 of the kit bends towards one side of the notch 22, causing the first part 12 of the electrode needle and the front end 11 of the electrode needle to bend together towards one side of the notch 22. After the external force disappears, that is, after the thermal stress of the kit 2 cools down, the front end 21 of the kit returns to a straight shape, and causes the first part 12 of the electrode needle and the front end 11 of the electrode needle to return to a straight shape together.
[0036] See Figure 4 The notch 22 has a groove-like cross-section, including a groove opening 221 and a groove bottom 222. The groove bottom 222 is part of the component wall. The width of the groove opening 221 is greater than the width of the groove bottom 222. When the front end 21 of the component is heated, it experiences thermal stress. The component 2 near the notch 22 moves towards the notch 22, causing the front end 21 of the component to bend towards the groove bottom 222 pointing towards the groove opening 221. This causes the first part 12 of the electrode needle and the front end 11 of the electrode needle to bend together towards the groove bottom 222 pointing towards the groove opening 221. The direction from the groove bottom 222 to the groove opening 221 is the opening direction of the notch 22. In this embodiment, the opening direction of the notch 22 is upward. The width of the groove opening 221 is greater than the width of the groove bottom 222, ensuring sufficient distance between the two sides of the groove opening 221 when the front end 21 of the component deforms due to heat, preventing them from being squeezed together, thereby improving the bending effect of the front end of the component 2. See also Figure 2 In this embodiment, the groove-shaped structure is approximately trapezoidal or triangular; see [link / reference]. Figure 2 Viewed from the side, the multiple notches 22 and the parts of the kit 2 between the notches 22 together form a serrated structure. In other embodiments, the groove structure may also be rectangular or other shapes.
[0037] See Figure 2 , Figure 3To enable the first part 12 and the front end 11 of the electrode needle to bend, the first part 12 and the front end 11 of the electrode needle are flexible structures. Specifically, the first part 12 and the front end 11 of the electrode needle can have a certain degree of flexibility, such as being made of a flexible conductive material, or the first part 12 and the front end 11 of the electrode needle can be made into a spring structure. The electrode needle 1 includes a first electrode needle 13 and a second electrode needle 14. The first part 12 of the electrode needle includes the portion of the first electrode needle 13 and the second electrode needle 14 that are enclosed by the notch 22. The front end 11 of the electrode needle includes the portion of the first electrode needle 13 that extends out of the front end of the kit 2 and the portion of the second electrode needle 14 that extends out of the kit 2. The first electrode needle 13 is disposed inside the second electrode needle 14, and the front end of the first electrode needle 13 extends out of the second electrode needle 14. The second electrode needle 14 is disposed inside the kit 2. When the needle assembly is inserted, the electrode needle 1 is conductive, and the first electrode needle 13 and the second electrode needle 14 discharge.
[0038] See Figure 4 The first electrode needle 13 and / or the second electrode needle 14 are spring structures. The needle assembly also includes a first insulating member 31 and a second insulating member 4. The first insulating member 3 is provided between the first electrode needle 13 and the second electrode needle 14, and the second insulating member 4 is provided between the second electrode needle 14 and the kit 2. The first insulating member 3 includes a first insulating layer 31 and an insulating ring 32. The front end of the first electrode needle 13 includes a connected protrusion 131 and a protruding head 132. The protruding head 132 is the tip of the first electrode needle 13. The protruding head 132 extends out of the first insulating layer 31 and is made of a high-temperature resistant material, such as tungsten. The insulating ring 32 is sleeved outside the first insulating layer 31 and is located between the front end of the second electrode needle 14 and the protruding head 132. The insulating ring 32 abuts against the front end of the second electrode needle 14. The second insulating component 4 includes a second insulating layer, the front end of which protrudes from the kit 2, and the front end of the second electrode needle 14 extends out of the second insulating layer. The arrangement of the first insulating layer 31 and the second insulating layer fully ensures the insulation performance between the kit 2 and the electrode needle 1, and between the first electrode needle 13 and the second electrode needle 14. The arrangement of the insulating ring 32 further improves the insulation performance between the first electrode needle 13 and the second electrode needle 14.
[0039] See Figures 5-8The needle assembly of this invention features a notch 22 at the front end 21 of the kit, which covers the first part 12 of the electrode needle. When the front end 21 of the kit is subjected to external force, including thermal stress generated when the electrode needle 1 conducts electricity and heats up, the front end 21 of the kit, guided by the notch 22, can bend together with the first part 12 and the front end 11 of the electrode needle toward one side of the notch 22. The direction of one side of the notch 22 is a preset direction. Before surgery, the orientation of the notch 22 can be adjusted by rotating the needle assembly to adjust the preset direction to match the specified direction of bending of the needle assembly during surgery, thereby meeting different surgical needs. The front end of the needle assembly of this invention can bend toward the preset direction while inserting the needle during surgery, resulting in high needle aiming accuracy and improved surgical efficiency.
[0040] Example 2
[0041] See Figures 1 to 3 This invention provides an ablation needle, comprising a needle assembly as described in Embodiment 1, a needle base 5, a lead wire 6, an interface 7, and a float 8. The needle base 5 is provided with an indicator 51 for indicating the bending direction of the front end 21 of the assembly. The front end of the lead wire 6 is connected to the rear end of the electrode needle 1 through the needle base 5, and the rear end of the lead wire 6 is connected to the interface 7. The external force includes the thermal stress generated when the electrode needle 1 conducts electricity and heats up. The float 8 is disposed on the assembly 2 near the needle base 5 between the needle base 5 and the notch 22, and the float 8 is used to mark the insertion depth of the ablation needle.
[0042] The indicator 51 includes a protrusion 51 on the outer wall of the needle holder 5. The direction of the protrusion 51 is the same as the direction from the bottom 222 of the notch 22 to the opening 221, and it is used to indicate the bending direction of the tip of the ablation needle, so that the bending direction of the tip of the ablation needle during ablation can be seen intuitively. The kit 2, the first insulating layer 31, the second insulating layer, the rear ends of the first electrode needle 13 and the second electrode needle 14, and the front end of the wire 6 all extend into the needle holder 5. The front end of the wire 6 is electrically connected to the rear ends of the first electrode needle 13 and the second electrode needle 14.
[0043] The ablation needle of this invention features a notch 22 at the front end 21 of the kit, which covers the first part 12 of the electrode needle. During ablation, when the electrode needle 1 conducts electricity and generates heat, the kit 2 also experiences thermal stress. Guided by the notch 22, the front end 21 of the kit bends towards one side of the notch 22 under the thermal stress, causing the first part 12 of the electrode needle and the front end 11 of the electrode needle to bend together towards one side of the notch 22. The direction of the notch 22 is a preset direction, pointing towards a preset tumor location. Before ablation, the orientation of the notch 22 can be adjusted by rotating the needle assembly to match the specified tumor location to be ablated, thus meeting the needs of different ablation locations. The front end of the ablation needle of this invention can bend towards the preset direction while ablating during tumor ablation, resulting in high needle aiming accuracy. It can ablate heterologous tumors or multiple adjacent tumors at once, improving ablation efficiency and reducing the risk of tumor implantation metastasis and related complications.
[0044] When using the ablation needle of this invention, the ablation needle is punctured to the edge of the tumor under image guidance, and then ablation begins. During the ablation process, under the action of thermal stress, the front end 21 of the kit, the first part 12 of the electrode needle, and the front end 11 of the electrode needle bend together towards one side of the notch 22, and then the needle can be inserted while bending and ablating. The ablation needle needs to be withdrawn after waiting for the needle assembly to cool naturally or using the circulating water circuit inside the ablation needle for cooling. The circulating water circuit inside the ablation needle is existing technology and will not be described in detail here. The ablation needle can be withdrawn after the front end 21 of the kit, the first part 12 of the electrode needle, and the front end 11 of the electrode needle return to a straight state.
[0045] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.
[0046] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model and their equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.
Claims
1. A needle assembly, characterized in that, The device includes an electrode needle (1) and a kit (2). The electrode needle (1) is disposed inside the kit (2). The front end (11) of the electrode needle extends out of the front end (21) of the kit. The front end (21) of the kit has a notch (22). The notch (22) covers the first part (12) of the electrode needle. The first part (12) of the electrode needle is connected to the front end (11) of the electrode needle. When subjected to external force, the front end (21) of the kit can bend together with the first part (12) of the electrode needle and the front end (11) of the electrode needle toward one side of the notch (22).
2. The needle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front end (21) of the kit is a self-correcting structure. After the external force disappears, the front end (21) of the kit, together with the first part (12) of the electrode needle and the front end (11) of the electrode needle, can return to the state before bending.
3. The needle assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The self-correcting structure is composed of shape memory alloy material.
4. The needle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the notch (22) is a groove structure, the groove structure includes a groove opening (221) and a groove bottom (222), the width of the groove opening (221) is greater than the width of the groove bottom (222), and the front end (21) of the kit can bend together with the first part (12) of the electrode needle and the front end (11) of the electrode needle towards the groove bottom (222) pointing to the groove opening (221) when subjected to external force.
5. The needle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first part (12) of the electrode needle and the front end (11) of the electrode needle are flexible structures.
6. The needle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode needle (1) includes a first electrode needle (13) and a second electrode needle (14). The first electrode needle (13) is disposed inside the second electrode needle (14), and the front end of the first electrode needle (13) extends out of the second electrode needle (14). The second electrode needle (14) is disposed inside the kit (2).
7. The needle assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first electrode needle (13) and / or the second electrode needle (14) are spring structures.
8. The needle assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a first insulating member (3) and a second insulating member (4), wherein the first insulating member (3) is provided between the first electrode needle (13) and the second electrode needle (14), and the second insulating member (4) is provided between the second electrode needle (14) and the kit (2).
9. The needle assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first insulating element (3) includes a first insulating layer (31) and an insulating ring (32). The insulating ring (32) is sleeved outside the first insulating layer (31). The front end of the first electrode needle (13) includes a connected protrusion (131) and a protrusion head (132). The protrusion head (132) protrudes from the first insulating layer (31). The insulating ring (32) is located between the front end of the second electrode needle (14) and the protrusion head (132).
10. An ablation needle, characterized in that, The assembly includes a needle holder (5), a wire (6), an interface (7), and a needle assembly as described in any one of claims 1-9. The needle holder (5) is provided with an indicator (51) for indicating the bending direction of the front end (21) of the kit. The front end of the wire (6) is connected to the rear end of the electrode needle (1) through the needle holder (5), and the rear end of the wire (6) is connected to the interface (7). The external force includes thermal stress generated when the electrode needle conducts electricity and heats up.