Angled Cooled RF Ablation Probe Reducing Moment Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooled radiofrequency probes are unwieldy and difficult to manufacture, leading to challenges in handling and increased risk of improper insertion and tissue injury due to their top-heavy design and complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A cooled radiofrequency probe with a handle and cable-tubing assembly configured at an angle, featuring a removable shell design and a thermocouple hypotube for energy delivery, which reduces the moment arm and overall mass, improving maneuverability and simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of welds and assembly cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the probe uses a traditional elongated cylindrical handle design, then the structural strength is maintained, but the probe becomes top-heavy and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The cable-tubing assembly is configured to extend from the handle at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees relative to the electrocap assembly, moving components from a linear arrangement into a spatial configuration that reduces the moment arm and improves balance
2Ease of operation
If the probe uses a traditional linear configuration, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the moment arm increases causing large torque about the insertion point
Solution Approach 1:
By angling the cable-tubing assembly extension relative to the handle axis, the design creates a three-dimensional configuration that shortens the effective moment arm, thereby reducing the torque generated during probe manipulation and insertion
3Reliability
If the probe uses a complex manufacturing process with multiple welds and assembly cycles, then the structural integrity is ensured, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is formed as a single piece or pre-assembled unit that integrates the cable-tubing assembly interface and electrocap assembly mounting features, eliminating the need for multiple separate welding and assembly operations while maintaining structural integrity
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 probe is easier to handle and maneuver, reducing the risk of tissue injury and manufacturing complexity, while maintaining effective energy delivery for lesion creation, with a 30% reduction in mass compared to prior art probes.
Implementation Method 1
The RF electrical current is typically delivered from a generator via connected electrodes that are placed in a patient's body... Tissue resistance to the current causes heating of tissue adjacent
Implementation Method 2
To extend the size of a lesion, radiofrequency treatment may be applied in conjunction with a cooling mechanism, whereby a cooling means is used to reduce the temperature of the electrode-tissue interface
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling radiofrequency ablation probe for delivering electrical and thermal energy to tissue of a patient's body is provided. The probe comprises a handle having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a Luer connector. The probe further comprises an extended electrocap assembly interfacing with one end of the handle, and a cable-tubing assembly interfacing with another end of the handle. The cable-tubing assembly includes an electrical cable that terminates at an electrical connector and a dual-lumen fluid tubing that terminates at inlet and outlet fluid connectors. An active tip of the extended electrocap assembly is configured to deliver the electrical and thermal energy to the tissue of the patient's body.