Electrode Ablation Control Using Impedance Break Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation systems face challenges in convenience and accuracy in determining the number of breaks during the ablation process, leading to potential over-treatment and increased patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An ablation system that automatically counts the number of breaks and adjusts power supply based on predefined thresholds, allowing for automatic or semi-automatic mode switching, and integrates a display for real-time monitoring of break counts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual monitoring of breaks is used, then operator control is maintained, but convenience and accuracy are reduced due to increased workload and potential for error
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors and counts breaks without requiring manual intervention from the operator. The controller continuously monitors impedance changes, automatically identifies break events, and tracks the total number of breaks, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring human monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring with an automated electronic detection system. Instead of relying on operator observation and manual counting, the system uses electrical impedance sensing and automated controller logic to detect and count breaks, substituting mechanical human monitoring with electronic automation.
2Measurement precision
If automatic end based on break count is implemented, then accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller functionality is segmented into distinct modules: impedance monitoring module, break detection module, counter module, and decision-making module. Each segment performs a specific function, making the complex system more manageable and easier to implement while maintaining high accuracy in break counting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors impedance changes and provides feedback to the controller, which automatically identifies break events and updates the break count. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate real-time tracking of breaks without requiring complex manual intervention or post-processing.
3Ease of operation
If automatic power supply resumption is enabled, then convenience is improved through automated control, but loss of operator control occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on real-time conditions. When breaks are detected, the controller automatically decides whether to resume power supply based on the current break count and predefined criteria. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain convenience through automation while preserving operator flexibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters automatically based on break count thresholds. When the break count reaches a predetermined threshold, the controller automatically adjusts power supply parameters (starting or stopping) without manual intervention. This parameter-based automation provides convenience while maintaining adaptability through configurable thresholds.
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
Enhances convenience and accuracy by minimizing unnecessary breaks, reducing patient discomfort, and enabling precise control over the ablation process.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply device that supplies electric power directed to performing of an ablation
Implementation Method 2
a liquid feeding device that feeds a cooling liquid to the electrode needle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Provided is an ablation system that is able to improve convenience. The ablation system 5 includes: an electrode needle 1 to be percutaneously punctured into an affected site 90 in a body; and a power supply device including a power supply 32 that supplies, between the electrode needle 1 and a counter electrode plate 4, electric power Pout directed to performing of an ablation, and a controller 33 that controls a supplying operation of the electric power Pout in the power supply 32. The controller 33 measures an impedance value Z between the electrode needle 1 and the counter electrode plate 4 upon the ablation and counts the number of times of break states (the number of times of breaks Nb) in which the impedance value Z has exceeded a threshold Zth (a first threshold), and automatically ends the ablation by automatically stopping supplying of the electric power Pout, in a case where the number of times of breaks Nb has reached a threshold Nth (a second threshold).