Ablation Cable Assembly Segmentation for High Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation cable assemblies face challenges in delivering high power electrosurgical energy efficiently while maintaining a predictable ablation zone and preventing fluid ingress, which affects the shape and size of the active zone around microwave antennas during tumor treatment.
Innovation Solution
The ablation cable assembly features a water-tight semi-rigid proximal portion, a flexible central portion with an exposed outer conductor, and a radiating portion that maximizes the thickness of the dielectric and inner conductor, allowing for continuous delivery of at least 150 watts of electrosurgical energy while minimizing fluid ingress and enhancing cooling through fluid impregnation of the conductive braid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the size of the outer conductor is minimized to maximize energy delivery, then power delivery capability is improved, but fluid protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly is divided into a proximal portion with full fluid protection and a distal portion with minimized outer conductor. The transition zone includes overlapping conductive braids and dielectric sections that provide progressive fluid barrier functionality while allowing the distal end to have minimal outer conductor for maximum power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the cable assembly have different outer conductor configurations tailored to their specific functions. The proximal portion has a complete outer conductor for fluid protection, while the distal portion has a minimized or absent outer conductor for optimal electromagnetic energy delivery, with each section's properties optimized for its local requirement.
2Power
If the thickness of the dielectric and inner conductor is maximized for high power delivery, then power handling capability is improved, but cable assembly diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly transitions from a rigid proximal portion with standardized dimensions to a flexible distal portion with minimized outer conductor. This dynamic configuration allows the cable to adapt its effective diameter along its length, maintaining small overall diameter while providing high power handling capability in the critical distal section where power delivery is most important.
3Ease of operation
If the cable assembly is made flexible to improve maneuverability, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly is segmented into a rigid proximal portion that maintains structural integrity for connection and support, and a flexible distal portion that provides maneuverability for positioning. The transition zone reinforces the connection between these segments to ensure overall structural integrity while maintaining flexibility where needed.
4Temperature
If the outer conductor is exposed to allow fluid contact for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but fluid ingress into internal components worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The outer conductor is extracted or removed from the distal portion of the cable assembly, allowing direct fluid contact with the inner conductor and dielectric for efficient cooling. The proximal portion retains the complete outer conductor structure to prevent fluid ingress into internal components, creating a controlled exposure zone that provides cooling where needed while maintaining protection where required.
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 design enables efficient power handling and reduced attenuation, maintaining a predictable ablation zone and facilitating effective cooling, thereby enhancing the delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissues during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing cooling through fluid impregnation of the conductive braid
Implementation Method 2
Electromagnetic fields can be used to heat and destroy tumor cells
Implementation Method 3
the ablation probes induce electromagnetic fields within the tissue surrounding the ablation probes
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly includes a rigid portion, a flexible central portion, and a radiating portion. The rigid portion is configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy and to prevent fluid ingress towards the source of electrosurgical energy. The flexible central portion extends from the rigid portion and includes an inner conductor, a dielectric disposed about the inner conductor, and a conductive braid disposed about the dielectric. The radiating portion extends from the central portion and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue.