Ablation Applicator Matrix Particles Thermal Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablation devices face challenges in efficiently delivering a cooling medium to tissue with spatially varying thermal conductivity, which can lead to inadequate ablation control and heat loss issues during cryoablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
An ablation applicator with a tubular body containing a matrix embedded with particles, allowing for precise adjustment of thermal conductivity along its circumference, enabling efficient heat transfer and controlled ablation by varying the distribution and type of particles to match specific ablation characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid metallic structure is used for cryoapplicator, then thermal conductivity is high, but flexibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials combining metallic segments with high thermal conductivity and flexible segments with low thermal conductivity. This allows the cryoapplicator to maintain both effective heat transfer to target tissue and the flexibility needed for navigation and conformability to anatomical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryoapplicator is divided into multiple segments along its length, with alternating rigid metallic portions for thermal conduction and flexible portions for adaptability. This segmentation enables the device to achieve both high reliability in heat transfer and versatility in positioning.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform thermal conductivity is provided along the cryoapplicator, then manufacturing is simple, but ablation control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cryoapplicator features spatially varying thermal conductivity along its length, with different segments having different thermal properties. This local quality variation enables precise control over the ablation zone by directing heat transfer to specific target regions while limiting heat loss in non-target areas, achieving high ablation control precision.
3Reliability
If thin-walled tubing is used to improve heat conduction, then thermal conductivity increases, but mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction with thin-walled tubing for heat conduction supported by internal structural elements. The thin walls enable efficient thermal transfer to tissue, while the composite structure maintains adequate mechanical strength for device integrity during insertion and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryoapplicator incorporates thin-walled tubular structures that provide effective thermal coupling with surrounding tissue. These thin films are designed with sufficient mechanical properties to maintain structural integrity while maximizing heat transfer efficiency to the target area.
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
The solution provides precise control over ablation by ensuring high thermal conductivity where needed and minimizing heat loss, enhancing the effectiveness of cryoablation procedures while protecting non-target tissues from excessive cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant vaporizes at low pressure and low temperature in a boiling chamber of an ablation catheter or a surgical probe
Implementation Method 2
A thermally conductive structure forming a cryoapplicator allows the heat-exchange of the refrigerant with the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation applicator for an ablation device for ablating tissue of a blood vessel having a tubular body defining an inner lumen to which an ablation medium is conductible, a control mechanism for converting the tubular body between a passive operation mode for inserting the ablation applicator into the blood vessel and an active operation mode for ablating tissue of the blood vessel, and an ablation medium supply line for supplying the ablation medium to the inner lumen and positioned within the inner lumen and having a number of openings for passing the ablation medium from the ablation medium supply line to the inner lumen for thermally contacting the ablation medium with the tubular body wherein at least some of the openings are distributed along the ablation medium supply line with a predetermined spacing between neighboring openings. The ablation device can include a first temperature sensor arranged within the inner lumen and an ablation medium return line inside the tubular body made from a material that defines the active shape of the applicator.