Ablation Applicator Matrix with Particles for Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablation applicators face challenges in efficiently supplying a cooling medium to tissue with spatially dependent thermal conductivity, limiting precise control over ablation processes, especially in elongated regions like cardiac tissue.
Innovation Solution
An ablation applicator with a tubular body containing a matrix of particles, where the distribution and type of particles are strategically selected to achieve predefined ablation characteristics, allowing for varying thermal conductivity along the circumference and enabling efficient heat transfer and tissue ablation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If rigid metallic structures are used for cryoapplicators, then thermal conductivity is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials combining metallic segments with high thermal conductivity and flexible segments with lower thermal conductivity. This allows the applicator to achieve both good heat conduction to target tissue and flexibility for navigation, resolving the contradiction between rigid metallic structures and flexible requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator features spatially varying thermal conductivity along its circumference, with high thermal conductivity regions positioned to contact target tissue and low thermal conductivity regions positioned away from tissue. This local differentiation optimizes heat transfer where needed while maintaining flexibility elsewhere.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform thermal conductivity is provided along the applicator, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ablation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is designed with non-uniform thermal conductivity distribution along its circumference, creating high thermal conductivity portions that contact target tissue and low thermal conductivity portions that do not. This spatial differentiation enables precise ablation control while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through segmented construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator structure is divided into multiple segments with different thermal conductivity properties, allowing independent optimization of each segment's thermal characteristics. This segmentation enables precise control over heat distribution patterns during ablation procedures.
3Use of energy by moving object
If high thermal conductivity material is used throughout the applicator, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but heat loss to surrounding tissue deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator incorporates high thermal conductivity materials only in specific regions that contact target tissue, while using low thermal conductivity materials in regions that do not contact tissue. This localized approach maximizes heat transfer efficiency to the target while minimizing unwanted heat loss to surrounding tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator uses composite construction combining high thermal conductivity metallic segments with low thermal conductivity flexible segments, creating a material distribution that optimizes heat transfer to target tissue while providing thermal insulation to prevent heat loss to surrounding areas.
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 enables precise and efficient ablation by optimizing thermal conductivity, reducing unwanted heat loss, and allowing for flexible operation modes, such as spiral or elongated configurations, to effectively treat tissues like cardiac tissue.
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
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An ablation applicator for an ablation device, the ablation applicator comprising a tubular body defining an inner lumen to which an ablation medium is conductable, wherein the tubular body comprises a matrix accommodating a plurality of particles.