Angled Electrode Ablation Device for Uniform Mucosa Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mucosal ablation techniques face challenges in achieving reliable and uniform large-area ablation, particularly in the stomach's fundus and cardia areas, with a risk of insufficient ablation or deep tissue damage, including perforation, when using flexible instruments.
Innovation Solution
The ablation device features electrodes forming an acute angle with gas channels, generating a fan-shaped argon plasma for uniform coagulation, and a slender head design for easy handling and attachment to an endoscope, allowing for precise and extensive mucosal ablation with alternating electrical power to the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible instruments such as polypectomy loops are used for mucosal ablation, then the instrument can be easily handled and inserted, but only a small area of approximately 2 cm² can be resected, limiting large-area ablation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation device divides the ablation function into multiple electrodes (at least two) arranged at acute angles to each other, with each electrode contributing to a broader overall ablation zone. This segmented approach allows coverage of large areas while maintaining the flexibility of endoscopic instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point or small-loop ablation approach to a multi-dimensional plasma field created by angled electrodes. The acute angle arrangement creates overlapping plasma cones that expand the ablation footprint in multiple spatial dimensions, enabling large-area treatment while the device remains insertable through standard endoscope channels.
2Reliability
If argon plasma coagulation is used to coagulate tissue, then tissue ablation can be achieved, but insufficient ablation or exposure that is too deep may occur, risking damage to underlying tissue layers including stomach perforation
Solution Approach 1:
The acute angle arrangement of electrodes creates localized plasma cones that converge at specific depths in the tissue. This geometry concentrates energy delivery to the intended ablation depth while naturally limiting penetration beyond that point, as the plasma streams diverge after their convergence point. Each electrode's plasma field has a controlled spatial distribution that ensures adequate ablation without excessive depth.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple plasma cones from angled electrodes merge to create a unified ablation zone with uniform depth. The overlapping plasma fields from at least two electrodes working simultaneously produce a combined effect that ensures consistent coagulation depth across the treatment area, preventing both insufficient ablation and overly deep exposure.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple electrodes are used to expand ablation area, then large-area ablation can be achieved, but the device complexity and head size increase, making handling and attachment more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation device with multiple electrodes is designed to be nested within or attached to the endoscope structure. The electrode assembly can be collapsed or retracted into a compact form that fits within the endoscope's diameter, allowing complex multi-electrode devices to be delivered through standard endoscopic access channels without increasing overall device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements that allow the electrode configuration to change between a compact delivery state and an expanded working state. During insertion, the electrodes are contained in a small profile; upon deployment at the target site, they extend or angle outward to create the large ablation zone, providing both compactness for handling and expansion for treatment.
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 approach enables uniform and reliable large-area tissue ablation with reduced risk of perforation, facilitating easier handling and maintaining a uniform coagulation depth across the ablation strip.
Implementation Method 1
an argon plasma can be generated, which can be used to coagulate the tissue in front of the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
With the help of sparks emanating from the electrodes, an argon plasma can be generated
Implementation Method 3
The channels are gas line channels through which suitable gas, such as argon, can be passed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~6
Figure 3b~3c
AI summary
The ablation device (11) according to the invention is characterized by a head (20) with a non-circular cross-section and electrodes (32, 33) arranged at an acute angle to each other. The angular arrangement of the electrodes and the corresponding design of the channels (28, 29) result in an approximately fan-shaped plasma jet, which, particularly with alternating activation of the two electrodes, allows for the achievement of a broad, strip-shaped ablation area in hollow organs of living beings. Handling is reliable and simple, and the treatment time is reduced compared to existing methods.