Ablation Device Dual Frequency Balun Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue ablation devices face challenges in precisely controlling the ablation volume and minimizing damage to healthy tissues during cancer treatment, as they struggle to deposit sufficient energy to malignant tissue while limiting the specific absorption rate (SAR) in nearby healthy tissue, and there is a difficulty in assessing the extent of microwave energy radiation into surrounding tissue.
Innovation Solution
The development of an ablation device with dual operating frequencies, featuring a feedline with an inner and outer conductor and dielectric material, along with first and second balun structures, allows for adjustable ablation volume by selectively transmitting energy at different frequencies, thereby optimizing energy deposition and minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microwave energy is applied to heat and ablate tumor tissue, then cancerous tissue can be destroyed, but healthy tissue may be damaged due to excessive heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single operating frequency into two separate operating frequencies (first and second frequencies). Each frequency is handled by its own balun structure, allowing independent control and optimization of energy delivery at different frequencies to achieve selective heating of tumor tissue while sparing healthy tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between first and second operating frequencies based on real-time SAR monitoring. The system can transition between frequencies to adjust energy deposition rates, enabling adaptive control that responds to tissue conditions and prevents overheating of healthy areas.
2Productivity
If high energy bursts are delivered to achieve cutting and coagulative effects, then ablation effectiveness is improved, but control precision over ablation volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters by switching between first and second frequencies based on real-time SAR measurements. This enables precise control of ablation volume while maintaining high productivity, as the frequencies can be selected to optimize both energy delivery rate and spatial control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates real-time SAR monitoring that provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the operating frequency and power levels to maintain precise control over ablation volume while achieving effective treatment outcomes.
3Device complexity
If single frequency operation is used, then device structure is simpler, but adaptability to different tissue types and ablation volumes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the ablation device to operate at multiple frequencies (first and second frequencies) with separate balun structures for each frequency. This multi-frequency capability provides versatility for treating different tissue types and ablation volumes while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular balun design.
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 solution enables more precise ablation treatments, potentially reducing patient recovery time, minimizing complications, and improving outcomes by allowing for controlled energy delivery to target tissues while limiting exposure to healthy tissues.
Implementation Method 1
Electromagnetic radiation can be used to heat and destroy tumor cells. Microwave energy is sometimes utilized to perform these methods.
Implementation Method 2
The microwave generator and surgical instrument are typically operatively coupled by a cable assembly having a plurality of conductors for transmitting microwave energy from the generator to the instrument
Implementation Method 3
a first balun structure disposed over a first portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the first balun structure is located at a first distance from the proximal end of the electrically-conductive member
Implementation Method 4
Once the probes are positioned, electromagnetic energy is passed through the probes into surrounding tissue
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6A
AI summary
An ablation device, comprising a feedline including an inner conductor having a distal end, an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed between the inner conductor and the outer conductor, a dielectric layer coaxially disposed around at least a portion of the outer conductor and extending distally beyond a distal-most end of the inner conductor, and a first balun disposed around at least a portion of the outer conductor and including an electrically-conductive layer coaxially disposed around a proximal portion of the dielectric layer.