Microwave Ablation Pump Cassette System for Stable Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump systems for microwave ablation are complex, difficult to use, inefficient, and can cause undesirable movement of the ablation probe during treatment, necessitating an improved cooling system for efficient thermal management.
Innovation Solution
A pump and cassette system that includes a cassette receptacle for loading a cassette with a supply tube, a pump head with rollers to engage the supply tube, and an actuator to move the pump head between loading and operating positions, ensuring stable coolant flow and improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing pump systems are used for microwave ablation, then cooling function is provided, but the system becomes complex and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable pump head and disposable cassettes containing the coolant reservoir and tubing. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by allowing the complex pump mechanism to be separated from the consumable cooling components, making the system easier to operate and maintain while reducing the burden on users to manage complex integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable cassettes that contain the coolant reservoir and supply tube assembly. These single-use components are discarded after a single treatment, eliminating the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance procedures. This disposable approach significantly reduces operational complexity and makes the system easier to use, as each new cassette is pre-prepared and ready for immediate use.
2Reliability
If existing pump systems are used for microwave ablation, then cooling function is provided, but the system is inefficient and causes undesirable movement of the ablation probe
Solution Approach 1:
The pump head is designed to apply compression force to the supply tube in a direction perpendicular to the tube's longitudinal axis. This dimensional change in the compression approach creates stable, consistent coolant flow while minimizing mechanical forces that could transmit to and move the ablation probe, thereby maintaining treatment precision without compromising efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump head design incorporates rollers that replicate the function of peristaltic pumping without requiring complex mechanical structures. By using simple rollers that compress and release the tube in a controlled manner, the system achieves efficient coolant delivery while maintaining stability and preventing probe movement, thus improving both reliability and productivity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If compression force is applied to the supply tube, then coolant flow is stabilized, but the system may cause movement of the ablation probe
Solution Approach 1:
The compression force from the pump head is applied locally and specifically to the supply tube in the region where it passes through the pump assembly, rather than along the entire length of the tube. This localized compression stabilizes coolant flow at the critical pumping point while minimizing transmitted forces that could affect the ablation probe position, thus maintaining both stable flow and treatment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply tube itself acts as an intermediary element between the pump head compression mechanism and the ablation probe. The tube is designed to absorb and isolate the compression forces, allowing stable coolant flow to be achieved through controlled compression while preventing these forces from transmitting to and disturbing the ablation probe position.
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 system provides stable, steady coolant flow, improving thermal management of the ablation probe, reducing complexity and user effort, and allowing for longer cable lengths without compromising treatment precision.
Implementation Method 1
The pump assembly may be included to engage a supply tube in the cassette and move coolant through a coolant flow path that includes the ablation probe. The pump assembly can be configured to automatically engage and apply a compression force to the supply tube
Implementation Method 2
The actuator may include a spring and a stepper motor; and the spring may be configured to apply a predetermined force to the supply tube via the pump head when the stepper motor moves the pump head to the operating position
Implementation Method 3
The chamber may be fluidly connected to the supply tube and the chamber can be configured to dampen pressure oscillations during operation of the pump head
Implementation Method 4
The supply tube of the cassette is fluidly coupled to a coolant flow path configured to move thermal energy away from a microwave ablation probe
Implementation Method 5
A microwave generator may be used that sends a microwave signal to an antenna in the ablation probe. The antenna may emit microwave energy into surrounding tissue causing the temperature of such tissue to be elevated
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cooling an ablation probe includes a cassette receptacle configured to accept a cassette including a supply tube for supplying a coolant to the ablation probe. The apparatus also includes a pump head movably positioned proximate the cassette receptacle. The pump head is configured to move between a loading position and an operating position. The pump head includes one or more rollers configured to engage the supply tube of the cassette when the pump head is in the operating position. The apparatus also includes an actuator coupled to the pump head. The actuator is configured to move the pump head between the loading position and the operating position.