Steam ablation needle
By integrating pressure-temperature monitoring into the steam ablation needle, the problem of difficulty in evaluating the steam ablation effect in existing technologies is solved, achieving precise control and safety of the ablation process and ensuring the stability of the ablation effect.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING UNIV OF AERONAUTICS & ASTRONAUTICS
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing steam ablation needles lack pressure-temperature non-invasive detection capabilities, making it difficult to accurately assess the ablation effect and easily leading to tissue tearing or carbonization.
A steam ablation needle was designed, integrating a pressure-temperature monitoring probe. It achieves uniform steam transmission through multiple rows and columns of steam outlets, and monitors the pressure and temperature at the ablation center in real time, adjusting the steam output parameters to control them within a safe range.
It enables precise assessment of the steam ablation process, avoids tissue tearing and carbonization, and ensures the stability and safety of the ablation effect.
Smart Images
Figure CN224206882U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of steam thermal ablation technology, and in particular to a steam ablation needle. Background Technology
[0002] During the steam ablation process, the gas pressure at the steam outlet directly affects tissue deformation. Excessive pressure can easily lead to tissue tearing, affecting the morphology of the ablation zone. Therefore, using a pressure sensor to monitor and control the steam pressure in real time is a key measure for evaluating the ablation effect.
[0003] Temperature determines whether cells at the ablation site are completely inactivated. Taking liver tissue as an example, at 60℃, the tissue cells are completely inactivated, achieving effective ablation; temperatures above 130℃ will lead to tissue carbonization. Therefore, if the temperature of the ablation center can be non-invasively monitored during ablation and controlled between 60℃ and 130℃, carbonization caused by excessively high temperatures can be avoided.
[0004] Currently, there is a lack of a steam ablation needle that integrates pressure-temperature non-invasive detection functions. Utility Model Content
[0005] This application provides a steam ablation needle that can accurately monitor the pressure and temperature of the ablation center target point during thermal ablation, thereby achieving precise assessment of thermal ablation.
[0006] This application provides a steam ablation needle, including: an ablation needle tip, a double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube, a reducing connector, a pressure-temperature monitoring probe, a PEEK pipe connector, a steam transmission stainless steel tube, and a rubber heat insulation sleeve.
[0007] The ablation needle is provided with a steam outlet and an opening at the front end. The tail end of the ablation needle is fixedly connected to one end of the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube.
[0008] The other end of the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube is fixed to the head of the reducing joint, and the tail end of the reducing joint and the front end of the PEEK pipe joint are fixedly connected by threads.
[0009] The PEEK pipe fitting has two holes inside, which are respectively connected to the pressure-temperature monitoring probe and the steam transmission stainless steel pipe. The head of the pressure-temperature monitoring probe passes through the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube from the opening of the PEEK pipe fitting and extends out from the front opening of the ablation needle.
[0010] One end of the steam transmission stainless steel pipe is connected to the inside of the PEEK pipe joint, and the other end extends and is connected to the steam generator.
[0011] The rubber insulation sleeve is wrapped around the outside of the steam transmission stainless steel pipe.
[0012] Optionally, in this application, the ablation needle includes a puncture needle tip and a puncture needle shaft. The ablation needle has a total length of 28 mm, the puncture needle tip is a hollow cone, and the puncture needle shaft is a hollow cylinder. The inner diameter of both the puncture needle tip and the puncture needle shaft is 1.8 mm, and the outer diameter is 2.0 mm.
[0013] Optionally, in this application, the tip of the puncture needle is provided with a pressure-temperature monitoring probe outlet, which is a circular hole with a diameter of 1 mm. The puncture needle rod is provided with uniformly distributed steam outlets around its perimeter. In the axial direction of the puncture needle rod, there are 15 steam outlets in a row with a spacing of 0.2 mm between adjacent holes. In the circumferential direction of the puncture needle rod, there are 8 steam outlets around its perimeter with a spacing of 45° between adjacent holes. The diameter of each steam outlet is 0.2 mm.
[0014] Optionally, in this application, the pressure-temperature monitoring probe has a maximum outer conduit diameter of 1.2 mm, a wire length of 200 mm, a pressure measurement range of 10–150 mmHg, and a temperature measurement range of 15–180 °C.
[0015] Optionally, in this application, the pressure-temperature monitoring probe has a pressure-sensing wafer and a thermistor at its head. The pressure-sensing wafer is a MEMS half-bridge micro-pressure sensor based on the piezoresistive effect of silicon, with two external resistors forming a Wheatstone bridge. Pressure is measured by acquiring the electrical signal of the part to be measured. The thermistor has a B value of 3950 and a resistance of 10KΩ, enabling real-time temperature measurement. The pressure-sensing wafer and the thermistor are placed in a titanium alloy probe housing with a window on the surface and are electrically isolated and protected with silicone. The sensor interface is connected to the pressure-temperature acquisition board.
[0016] Optionally, in this application, the reducing connector has an internal thread at its tail end, and the PEEK pipe connector has an external thread at its front end. The tail end of the reducing connector is threadedly connected to the front end of the PEEK pipe connector. The front outlet of the PEEK pipe connector is flexible and is screwed into the reducing connector through an external threaded structure. The reducing connector has a gradually decreasing inner diameter. The tail end of the PEEK pipe connector has a connection port between the PEEK pipe connector and the steam transmission stainless steel pipe, and a connection port between the PEEK pipe connector and the pressure-temperature monitoring probe. The connection port between the PEEK pipe connector and the steam transmission stainless steel pipe is horizontally positioned, and the connection port between the PEEK pipe connector and the pressure-temperature monitoring probe is obliquely positioned.
[0017] This application discloses a steam ablation needle with multiple rows and columns of steam outlets at the needle tip. This design allows for uniform steam distribution, preventing excessive heat accumulation at a single point and resulting in more even heat transfer and a larger effective ablation range. The steam ablation needle integrates pressure-temperature monitoring functionality, enabling real-time monitoring of the pressure and temperature in the ablation center area without the need for a separate pressure-temperature monitoring probe. This allows for evaluation of the ablation effect, and timely adjustment of steam output parameters when the pressure and temperature in the center area deviate from safe values to ensure effective ablation.
[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description
[0019] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0020] Figure 1 A cross-sectional structural diagram of a steam ablation needle provided in this application;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a steam ablation needle provided in this application;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ablation needle of this application;
[0023] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the PEEK pipe fitting of this application;
[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure-temperature monitoring probe of this application;
[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the system connection of a steam ablation needle according to this application. Detailed Implementation
[0026] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.
[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the steam ablation needle includes: an ablation needle head 1, a double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube 2, a reducing connector 3, a PEEK pipe connector 4, a pressure-temperature monitoring probe 5, a steam transmission stainless steel pipe 6, and a rubber heat insulation sleeve 7.
[0028] Among them, such as Figure 3 As shown, the ablation needle 1 is equipped with a steam outlet 1.2, and the front end has an opening as the outlet of the pressure-temperature monitoring probe. The tail end of the ablation needle 1 is fixedly connected to one end of the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube 2. The other end of the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube 2 is fixed to the head of the reducing connector 3. The tail end of the reducing connector 3 and the front end of the PEEK pipe connector 4 are fixedly connected by threads. The PEEK pipe connector 4 has two holes inside, which are respectively connected to the pressure-temperature monitoring probe 5 and the steam transmission stainless steel tube 6. The head of the pressure-temperature monitoring probe 5 passes through the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube 2 from the opening of the PEEK pipe connector 4 and then extends out from the front opening of the ablation needle 1. One end of the steam transmission stainless steel tube 6 is connected to the inside of the PEEK pipe connector 4, and the other end extends to the steam generator. The rubber heat insulation sleeve 7 is wrapped around the outside of the steam transmission stainless steel tube 6 to prevent the steam heat from being lost.
[0029] The ablation needle 1, double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube 2, and reducing connector 3 are coated with an anti-sticking material. The reducing connector 3 and PEEK tube connector 4 are connected by threads for easy postoperative examination and component disassembly and replacement. A pressure-temperature monitoring probe 5 extends from the PEEK tube connector into the probe's connection port to the probe head outlet at the needle tip. High-temperature steam is injected through the steam transmission stainless steel tube 6, travels along the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube 2, and reaches the steam outlet to ablate the tissue.
[0030] In this application, the ablation needle 1 includes a puncture needle tip and a puncture needle shaft. The total length of the ablation needle is 28 mm. The puncture needle tip is a hollow cone and the puncture needle shaft is a hollow cylinder. The inner diameter of both the puncture needle tip and the puncture needle shaft is 1.8 mm and the outer diameter is 2.0 mm.
[0031] In this application, the tip of the puncture needle is provided with a pressure-temperature monitoring probe outlet 1.1, which is a circular hole with a diameter of 1 mm. The puncture needle shaft has evenly distributed steam outlets around its perimeter, allowing steam to escape. Along the axial direction of the puncture needle shaft, there are 15 steam outlets in a row, with an adjacent hole spacing of 0.2 mm. Around the circumference of the puncture needle shaft, there are 8 steam outlets, with adjacent holes spaced at 45° intervals. Each steam outlet has a diameter of 0.2 mm. This application allows for the formation of ablation zones of different sizes by modifying the size of the openings and the hole spacing of the puncture needle shaft.
[0032] In this application, the outer tube of the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube has an outer diameter of 2.4 mm and an inner diameter of 1.8 mm. The interlayer is vacuum-sealed at both ends for heat insulation. The inner tube protrudes 1 mm to facilitate welding and assembly with the needle. The double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube, the ablation needle, and the reducing connector are fixed together by welding. The reducing connector and the PEEK tube connector are fixed together by threads, with PTFE tape inserted between the threads for leak prevention. The PEEK tube connector and the steam transmission stainless steel tube are fixed together using silicone gel and PTFE tape. The PEEK tube connector and the pressure-temperature monitoring probe are fixed together using silicone gel and PTFE tape. A high-temperature resistant silicone sealant is used as the adhesive for bonding.
[0033] In this application, the pressure-temperature monitoring probe has a maximum outer conduit diameter of 1.2 mm, a wire length of 200 mm, a pressure measurement range of 10–150 mmHg, a pressure accuracy of ±2 mmHg, a temperature measurement range of 15–180 °C, and a maximum accuracy of ±0.3 °C.
[0034] In this application, as Figure 4 As shown, the tail end of the PEEK pipe fitting 4 has a PEEK pipe fitting and steam transmission stainless steel pipe connection port 4.1 and a PEEK pipe fitting and pressure-temperature monitoring probe connection port 4.2; the PEEK pipe fitting and steam transmission stainless steel pipe connection port is set horizontally, and the PEEK pipe fitting and pressure-temperature monitoring probe connection port is set at an angle.
[0035] In this application, as Figure 5 As shown, the pressure-temperature monitoring probe has a pressure-sensing wafer and a thermistor at its head. The pressure-sensing wafer is a MEMS half-bridge micro-pressure sensor based on the piezoresistive effect of silicon, with two ordinary resistors forming a Wheatstone bridge. By acquiring the electrical signal of the measured part, pressure is measured. The thermistor has a B value of 3950 and a resistance of 10KΩ, enabling real-time temperature measurement. The pressure-sensing wafer and the thermistor are housed in a titanium alloy probe housing with a window on the surface and are electrically isolated and protected with silicone. The sensor interface is connected to the pressure-temperature acquisition board.
[0036] In this application, the reducing fitting has an internal thread at its tail end, and the PEEK pipe fitting has an external thread at its front end. The tail end of the reducing fitting is threadedly connected to the front end of the PEEK pipe fitting. The front outlet of the PEEK pipe fitting is made of flexible material and is screwed into the reducing fitting through an external threaded structure. The reducing fitting has a gradually decreasing inner diameter to match and guide the flexible front outlet of the PEEK pipe fitting. As the threads are gradually tightened, the flexible front end of the PEEK pipe fitting is compressed and pushed deeper into the reducing fitting, while its outlet pipe diameter also gradually decreases accordingly. This design achieves an efficient, reliable, and leak-proof fit between the PEEK pipe fitting and the steam transmission stainless steel pipe, improving the overall sealing performance of the system, simplifying the installation process, and reducing maintenance costs.
[0037] In this application, the heat insulation sleeve is made of rubber, which has high temperature resistance, flexibility and aging resistance. It can protect the inner steam transmission stainless steel pipe from damage, while ensuring that heat is not lost as much as possible during steam transmission. At the same time, it can maintain stable performance in high temperature environment, which greatly extends the service life.
[0038] like Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the connection of a steam ablation needle during application, including: a-pig liver; b-MCU; c-steam generator; d-host computer. Before ablation begins, the steam ablation needle, equipped with pressure-temperature monitoring capabilities, is inserted into the tissue of pig liver (a) and awaits ablation. The host computer (d) controls the steam generator (c) to produce high-temperature steam, which is then transmitted to the ablation needle. The pressure-temperature monitoring probe monitors the pressure and temperature signals at the ablation center, transmitting them to the MCU (b). The resulting information is then transmitted to the host computer (d) for analysis and recording by the experimenter.
[0039] According to the embodiments of this application, a steam ablation needle can achieve continuous and stable steam ablation while measuring the steam pressure and temperature at the ablation center, thereby enabling accurate assessment of steam thermal ablation.
[0040] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.
[0041] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "N" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
Claims
1. A steam ablation needle, characterized in that, include: Ablation needle, double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube, reducing fitting, pressure-temperature monitoring probe, PEEK pipe fitting, steam transmission stainless steel pipe, rubber heat insulation sleeve; The ablation needle is provided with a steam outlet and an opening at the front end. The tail end of the ablation needle is fixedly connected to one end of the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube. The other end of the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube is fixed to the head of the reducing joint, and the tail end of the reducing joint and the front end of the PEEK pipe joint are fixedly connected by threads. The PEEK pipe fitting has two holes inside, which are respectively connected to the pressure-temperature monitoring probe and the steam transmission stainless steel pipe. The head of the pressure-temperature monitoring probe passes through the double-layer stainless steel vacuum tube from the opening of the PEEK pipe fitting and extends out from the front opening of the ablation needle. One end of the steam transmission stainless steel pipe is connected to the inside of the PEEK pipe joint, and the other end extends and is connected to the steam generator. The rubber insulation sleeve is wrapped around the outside of the steam transmission stainless steel pipe.
2. The steam ablation needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ablation needle includes a puncture needle tip and a puncture needle shaft. The ablation needle has a total length of 28 mm. The puncture needle tip is a hollow cone, and the puncture needle shaft is a hollow cylinder. The inner diameter of both the puncture needle tip and the puncture needle shaft is 1.8 mm, and the outer diameter is 2.0 mm.
3. The steam ablation needle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The tip of the puncture needle is provided with a pressure-temperature monitoring probe outlet, which is a circular hole with a diameter of 1 mm. The puncture needle shaft is provided with evenly distributed steam outlets around its perimeter. Along the axial direction of the puncture needle shaft, there are 15 steam outlets in a row with a spacing of 0.2 mm between adjacent holes. Along the circumference of the puncture needle shaft, there are 8 steam outlets around its perimeter with a spacing of 45° between adjacent holes. The diameter of each steam outlet is 0.2 mm.
4. The steam ablation needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure-temperature monitoring probe has a maximum outer conduit diameter of 1.2 mm, a wire length of 200 mm, a pressure measurement range of 10–150 mmHg, and a temperature measurement range of 15–180 °C.
5. The steam ablation needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure-temperature monitoring probe has a pressure-sensing wafer and a thermistor at its head. The pressure-sensing wafer is a MEMS half-bridge micro-pressure sensor based on the piezoresistive effect of silicon, with two external resistors forming a Wheatstone bridge. Pressure is measured by acquiring the electrical signal of the measured part. The thermistor has a B value of 3950 and a resistance of 10KΩ, enabling real-time temperature measurement. The pressure-sensing wafer and the thermistor are housed in a titanium alloy probe shell with a window on the surface and are electrically isolated and protected with silicone. The sensor interface is connected to the pressure-temperature acquisition board.
6. The steam ablation needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reducing fitting has an internal thread at its tail end and an external thread at its front end. The tail end of the reducing fitting is threadedly connected to the front end of the PEEK pipe fitting. The front outlet of the PEEK pipe fitting is flexible and is screwed into the reducing fitting through an external threaded structure. The reducing fitting has a gradually decreasing inner diameter. The tail end of the PEEK pipe fitting has a connection port between the PEEK pipe fitting and the steam transmission stainless steel pipe, and a connection port between the PEEK pipe fitting and the pressure-temperature monitoring probe. The connection port between the PEEK pipe fitting and the steam transmission stainless steel pipe is horizontally positioned, while the connection port between the PEEK pipe fitting and the pressure-temperature monitoring probe is obliquely positioned.