Cool RF Electrode With Segmented Stylet For Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF electrode systems for tissue ablation, particularly in treating cancerous tumors, face challenges such as difficulty in accurately positioning the electrode tip due to tissue resistance, requirement for multiple electrodes of varying lengths, and inefficiencies in cooling and heat lesion size due to bulky designs and high focal electric fields.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising cannulas and a guiding stylet for initial tissue penetration, followed by a high-frequency electrode insertion, allowing for precise targeting and larger ablation volumes with a slender hub structure and internal cooling, enabling close clustering and reduced manual force for insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional RF electrode with a sharp tip is used for tissue penetration, then the electrode can penetrate tissue, but the tip becomes blunt and loses effectiveness over time
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into two separate components: a disposable stylet with a sharp tip and a reusable insulated shaft. The stylet can be exchanged when blunted, allowing the shaft to continue serving its electrical function without the waste of replacing the entire electrode. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the wear-prone sharp tip from the durable electrical conductor.
Solution Approach 2:
The stylet is designed as a disposable component that is discarded when blunted, while the insulated shaft is recovered and reused. This allows the system to maintain tip sharpness through periodic replacement of the stylet while extending the overall electrode service life by retaining the valuable electrical conductor portion.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes of varying lengths are used to accommodate different target depths, then accurate positioning is achieved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single insulated shaft design serves multiple functions by accommodating different stylet lengths. The shaft acts as a universal platform that can be paired with various stylet lengths to reach different target depths, eliminating the need to maintain inventory of multiple shaft lengths while preserving positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode system is segmented into a universal insulated shaft and interchangeable stylets of varying lengths. This segmentation allows one shaft to perform multiple positioning functions by simply changing the stylet, reducing device complexity and inventory requirements while maintaining the ability to accurately reach different depths.
3Temperature
If a bulky electrode design is used for cooling, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the electrode becomes difficult to insert and manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented and integrated into the stylet portion rather than requiring a bulky external cooling structure for the entire electrode. The stylet itself can serve as the cooling conduit, allowing cooling effectiveness to be achieved within a slender profile that is easy to insert and manipulate.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of expanding the electrode radially to accommodate cooling channels, the cooling function is integrated along the longitudinal dimension of the stylet. This allows cooling effectiveness to be achieved without increasing the radial bulk of the electrode, maintaining ease of insertion and manipulation.
4Power
If high focal electric fields are concentrated at the electrode tip, then tissue ablation is effective, but steam and gas accumulate and reduce heat lesion size
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the electrode tip and the tissue. This fluid venting mechanism allows steam and gas to be continuously removed from the focal area, preventing their accumulation and maintaining effective heat lesion size while preserving the high power density needed for effective 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
This configuration facilitates accurate and efficient thermal tissue ablation with reduced force and manual manipulation, allowing for larger ablation volumes and improved heat lesion size by venting steam and gas, thus overcoming the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
RF current form the RF generate flows through the patient's body between the two electrodes
Implementation Method 2
the electrode is adapted for being cooled internally
Implementation Method 3
The use of radiofrequency (RF) generators and electrodes in neural tissue for the treatment of pain and functional disorders
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for ablating tissue in the living body can include a cool electrode.