Ablation Device Electro-cauterizing Cystic Duct

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for acute cholecystitis, such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, are invasive and there is a need for a less invasive method that effectively suppresses the recurrence of the condition without removing the gallbladder.

Innovation Solution

An ablation device with an expandable balloon and electrodes is used to electro-cauterize the cystic duct from inside, reducing the gallbladder's function by denaturing blood vessels and nerves, thereby preventing bile concentration and calculi formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed to treat acute cholecystitis, then the gallbladder is removed and there is no risk of recurrence, but the treatment is invasive and has room for improvement in terms of invasiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecurrence preventionVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates only the cystic duct (the problematic pathway) rather than removing the entire gallbladder. By occluding the cystic duct through electro-cauterization, the gallbladder's function is disabled while avoiding the invasiveness of complete removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of removing the gallbladder from the outside (surgical approach), the invention approaches from the inside by inserting the electrode through the gastrointestinal tract to cauterize the cystic duct from within, reversing the traditional surgical direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the gallbladder is removed to prevent recurrence of cholecystitis, then the treatment is effective, but the surgical procedure is manual and invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces manual surgical mechanical removal with an electro-cauterization system that uses electrical energy to occlude the cystic duct. The ablation device with electrode and balloon replaces the mechanical surgical procedure with a less invasive energy-based approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the function of the gallbladder mucosa is eliminated by cauterization to suppress calculi formation, then bile concentration is prevented, but the cauterization area is large compared to alternative methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculi formation suppressionVSAvoidcauterization area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies cauterization locally and precisely to the cystic duct interior rather than broadly to the gallbladder mucosa. The electrode is positioned specifically within the cystic duct lumen, concentrating the therapeutic effect on the critical pathway while minimizing the affected area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 method significantly reduces the invasiveness of treatment, suppresses the recurrence of cholecystitis by preventing bile concentration and calculi formation, and achieves the same effect as direct mucosa cauterization with a smaller cauterization area, making it less invasive compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

using the electrode to electro-cauterize the cystic duct from an inside of the cystic duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-cauterization: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230277234A1Ablation device and treatment method for cholecystitis

Publication Date: 2023.09.07 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

An ablation device comprises a sheath, a balloon attached to the sheath and being expandable and an electrode located on an outer surface of the sheath. The balloon is located longitudinally adjacent to the electrode.