Controlled Energy Delivery for Lung Tissue Inflammation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current asthma management requires regular patient compliance with pharmacological treatments and avoidance of triggers, which can be challenging due to side effects and patient resistance.
Innovation Solution
A system for delivering therapeutic energy to lung tissue using a controlled energy delivery system with a user-friendly interface, temperature detection, and impedance monitoring to ensure safe and effective energy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmacological management with corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs is used for long term control, then asthma symptoms can be managed, but serious side effects occur that require careful management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful side effects of pharmacological management by introducing an alternative energy delivery system (radiofrequency or microwave energy) that directly treats airway inflammation without the systemic side effects of corticosteroid drugs. The energy delivery device applies localized thermal energy to the airway wall to reduce inflammation and smooth muscle hypertrophy, thereby managing asthma symptoms through a different mechanism that avoids drug-related harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical/pharmacological system (corticosteroid drugs) with a physical/energetic system (radiofrequency or microwave energy delivery). Instead of using chemical substances to reduce inflammation, the system uses controlled thermal energy to achieve the same therapeutic effect through direct heating of the airway wall, thereby eliminating the need for drugs with serious side effects.
2Reliability
If repeated and regular use of prescribed drugs is required for asthma management, then asthma symptoms can be controlled, but patient compliance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a one-time or infrequent energy delivery procedure that creates lasting therapeutic effects in the airway wall. The radiofrequency or microwave energy treatment modifies the airway structure (reducing smooth muscle mass and inflammation) in advance, providing long-term symptom control without requiring repeated daily drug administration, thereby significantly improving patient compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the airway tissue to serve itself by using the body's own response to controlled thermal injury to reduce inflammation and smooth muscle hypertrophy. The energy delivery system triggers a natural healing response that leads to long-term symptom improvement, eliminating the need for continuous external pharmacological intervention and improving patient compliance.
3Reliability
If high doses of corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs are administered, then asthma inflammation can be reduced, but serious side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by delivering energy directly to the airway wall where inflammation occurs, creating a localized therapeutic effect. The radiofrequency or microwave energy is applied through a catheter positioned in the airway, heating only the targeted airway wall tissue to reduce inflammation and smooth muscle mass, while leaving the rest of the body unaffected, thereby avoiding systemic side effects of high-dose corticosteroids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary (the energy delivery device and controlled thermal energy) between the treatment goal (inflammation reduction) and the harmful method (high-dose corticosteroids). Instead of using drugs as the direct intermediary, the system uses controlled thermal energy as an intermediate mechanism to achieve inflammation reduction through direct airway wall heating, thereby eliminating the need for high-dose pharmacological intervention and its associated side effects.
4Reliability
If medical procedures require controlled delivery of therapeutic energy with multiple tasks, then treatment effectiveness can be improved, but procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated energy delivery device. The device combines energy delivery (radiofrequency or microwave), temperature sensing, and control capabilities in one unit that can be delivered through a catheter to the airway. This integration allows the physician to perform temperature-controlled therapy without managing separate equipment for each function, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while reducing procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by incorporating temperature sensing capability that monitors the temperature of the airway wall during energy delivery. The system uses this temperature feedback to automatically adjust or terminate energy delivery, ensuring the temperature remains within a safe and effective range. This automated feedback mechanism simplifies the physician's task by eliminating the need for manual temperature monitoring and adjustment, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while reducing procedure complexity.
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 allows for controlled and safe delivery of energy to lung tissue, reducing the need for regular patient compliance with pharmacological treatments and improving asthma management by addressing airway inflammation and constriction.
Implementation Method 1
a system designed to delivery energy, and in some particular cases, radiofrequency energy, to lung tissue
Implementation Method 2
controlled application of energy to intraluminal surfaces
Implementation Method 3
a temperature detecting element and an energy emission element
Data Source
AI summary
Control systems and methods for delivery of energy that may include control algorithms that prevent energy delivery if a fault is detected and may provide energy delivery to produce a substantially constant temperature at a delivery site. In some embodiments, the control systems and methods may be used to control the delivery of energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to body tissue, such as lung tissue.