Coiled Dipole Antenna With Variable Stiffness Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive ablation systems face challenges in effectively transmitting energy to target tissue sites with existing antenna designs, which often lack sufficient rigidity for tissue penetration and flexibility for navigating complex anatomical paths.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a flexible antenna system with a conductive coil wound around an insulator, providing variable properties along its length, including stiffness and coil pitch, to enhance energy transmission and tissue penetration while allowing for navigation through tortuous anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the antenna is made rigid to improve tissue penetration capability, then penetration effectiveness is improved, but flexibility for navigating complex anatomical paths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple articulated segments that can flex relative to each other, allowing the antenna to navigate tortuous anatomical paths while maintaining sufficient rigidity in each segment for effective tissue penetration when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna transitions from a flexible state during navigation to a rigid state during ablation. The articulated segments are flexed during insertion to navigate complex anatomy, then straightened and locked into position to provide rigidity for effective electromagnetic energy transmission and tissue penetration
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is made flexible to improve navigation through tortuous anatomy, then adaptability is improved, but tissue penetration effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna consists of multiple articulated segments that can be flexed independently during navigation, providing flexibility to navigate tortuous anatomical paths. Once positioned, the segments are straightened to form a rigid structure effective for tissue penetration
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna dynamically changes its mechanical properties from flexible to rigid based on operational phase. During insertion and navigation, the articulated segments are bent to follow anatomical curves. Upon reaching the target, the segments are locked in a straight configuration to provide the rigidity needed for effective electromagnetic energy transmission and tissue ablation
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 antenna system effectively radiates electromagnetic energy for tissue ablation, improving penetration and flexibility, thereby enhancing the efficacy of minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna includes a first conductive arm, an insulator extending around the first conductive arm, and a second conductive arm wound around at least a first portion of the insulator to form a second conductive arm coil
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna system comprises a transmission member and an antenna at a distal end of the transmission member. The antenna includes a first conductive arm, an insulator extending around the first conductive arm, and a second conductive arm wound around at least a first portion of the insulator to form a second conductive arm coil. A property of the insulator varies along an insulator longitudinal axis of the insulator. The insulator includes a set of formed patterns along at least a portion of the insulator longitudinal axis.