Cooled RF Electrode with Internal Cooling and Segmented Stylet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF electrode systems for tissue ablation, particularly for cancerous tumors, face challenges such as difficulty in accurately positioning the electrode due to tissue resistance, requirement for multiple electrodes of varying lengths, and inefficiencies in cooling and heat lesion size due to bulky designs and inadequate tip exposure, which limit the precision and effectiveness of thermal ablation.
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 adjustable tip exposure, enabling close clustering and reduced manual force for insertion, and incorporating internal cooling for efficient heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid self-piercing electrode with sharpened tip is used for tissue penetration, then initial tissue penetration is achieved, but accurate positioning is difficult due to tissue resistance causing electrode displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a stylet for tissue penetration and an electrode for ablation. The stylet creates the initial tract through tissue resistance, then the electrode is advanced through the same tract to the target position without encountering the same resistance issues, enabling accurate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The stylet acts as an intermediary tool that facilitates electrode placement. It first penetrates the tissue to create a guiding tract, then the electrode follows this pre-established path to reach the target accurately, eliminating the positioning problems caused by direct electrode penetration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes of varying lengths are used to accommodate different tumor sizes, then adaptability to different ablation volumes is achieved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode configuration is made dynamic and adjustable. A single electrode with adjustable tip exposure can be configured to different effective lengths by modifying the insulated portion, allowing one electrode to replace multiple fixed-length electrodes while maintaining adaptability to various tumor sizes and ablation volume requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode design incorporates universal adaptability through adjustable insulation configuration. A single electrode structure can serve multiple functions by adjusting the exposed tip length, eliminating the need for multiple specialized electrodes and simplifying the overall system inventory while maintaining versatility.
3Loss of energy
If internal cooling is incorporated into the electrode, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the hub structure becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is nested within the electrode structure itself. Cooling channels are integrated inside the electrode shaft, allowing coolant flow paths to be contained within the existing structural envelope rather than requiring external cooling apparatus, thus maintaining a compact hub design while achieving efficient heat dissipation.
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 enhances the accuracy and efficiency of tissue ablation by allowing precise targeting and larger ablation volumes with reduced manual force and improved cooling efficiency, overcoming the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
radiofrequency (RF) electrical energy... for tissue ablation... RF current form the RF generate flows through the patient's body between the two electrodes... heating of the bodily tissue near the tip
Implementation Method 2
incorporating internal cooling for efficient heat dissipation... cooled fluid, such as sterile saline or sterile water, enters the tissue in which the electrode is placed
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 2D
AI summary
Systems and methods for ablating tissue in the living body can include a cool electrode.