Ablation Antenna with Customizable Reflectors for Directional Tissue Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current directional ablation probes are expensive and lack versatility, requiring surgeons to switch between directional and non-directional probes during procedures, leading to inefficiency and increased costs due to limited precision targeting needs.
Innovation Solution
The use of customizable electromagnetic shielding reflectors, such as metalized strips or tubes, can be applied to ablation antennas to selectively block or allow electromagnetic radiation, achieving desired directionality without the need for multiple probes, by adhering them to the antenna using pressure-sensitive adhesives or heatshrink configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If directional ablation probes are used to achieve precision targeting, then tissue ablation precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple independently controllable radiating elements (e.g., 4-8 elements around the circumference). Each element can be individually activated or deactivated to create different radiation patterns, allowing precise targeting without requiring completely different antenna designs for different procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna transitions from a static, fixed radiation pattern to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. By electronically controlling which elements are active and their phase/amplitude, the radiation beam can be steered and shaped in real-time to match different surgical requirements, reducing the need for multiple specialized probes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If directional ablation probes are used for precision targeting, then healthy tissue protection is improved, but procedural efficiency deteriorates due to retooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A single multi-element antenna design can perform multiple functions by reconfiguring which elements are active. The same antenna can provide broad non-directional coverage when all elements are active, or focused directional beams when specific elements are activated, eliminating the need to switch between different probe types during procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements are pre-configured and positioned around the antenna body, ready to be activated in different combinations. This preliminary arrangement allows rapid reconfiguration between different radiation patterns without physical retooling, maintaining procedural efficiency while enabling precise targeting when needed
3Device complexity
If non-directional ablation probes are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but healthy tissue damage increases due to radiation in all directions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire antenna directional or non-directional, different local elements can have different activation states. Specific elements can be activated to target the tumor while adjacent elements remain inactive or are phased to minimize radiation in directions where healthy tissue is located, providing localized control over radiation distribution
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for cost-effective directional tissue ablation with adjustable radiation patterns, reducing the need for multiple probes and enhancing procedural efficiency by enabling precise targeting without retooling, while maintaining effectiveness and safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector configured to block electromagnetic radiation from the at least one radiating portion through the electromagnetic shielding reflector
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive adhered to a bottom surface of the electromagnetic shielding material
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation system for directing energy to a target volume of tissue is provided. The ablation system comprises an ablation antenna probe including at least one radiating portion configured to output electromagnetic radiation and at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector configured for removable positioning on the antenna probe. The at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector is configured to block electromagnetic radiation from the at least one radiating portion through the at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector such that a particular directionality of the electromagnetic radiation from the at least one radiation portion to a target volume of tissue is achieved.