Cooled RF Energy Delivery Probe for Lesion Size Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for treating chronic pain using cooled RF ablation techniques face challenges in controlling lesion size and preventing unwanted tissue damage due to temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a power source coupled with a probe assembly featuring an energy delivery device with internal lumens for cooling fluid circulation and a temperature sensing element, allowing active control of energy delivery and flow rate to maintain a predetermined threshold temperature for creating lesions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If higher power is applied to extend lesion size, then the volume of tissue treated is improved, but local tissue temperature increases causing tissue desiccation, charring, or steam formation
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies cooling to the tissue before and during energy delivery to pre-condition the tissue and maintain temperature control throughout the procedure, preventing desiccation and charring that would occur with high power alone
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling fluid (intermediary substance) is introduced between the energy delivery device and the tissue to modulate the thermal interaction, allowing higher power delivery while preventing harmful temperature effects through active cooling
2Temperature
If cooling fluid flow rate is increased to prevent tissue damage, then temperature control is improved, but the system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature sensors to monitor tissue temperature in real-time and feeds this information back to the controller, which automatically adjusts the cooling fluid flow rate and energy delivery parameters to maintain optimal temperature control without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation by automatically adjusting cooling flow and energy delivery based on real-time temperature measurements, eliminating the need for constant manual monitoring and adjustment by the operator
3Duration of action of moving object
If energy delivery duration is extended to create larger lesions, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but the risk of unwanted tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Real-time temperature monitoring provides feedback that allows the system to maintain safe operating conditions throughout extended energy delivery, automatically adjusting parameters to prevent tissue damage while enabling longer treatment durations for larger lesions
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling is applied before and during energy delivery to pre-condition the tissue and maintain thermal safety margins, allowing extended treatment duration without increasing the risk of unwanted tissue damage
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 precise control of lesion size and temperature, minimizing tissue damage while effectively treating chronic pain by optimizing energy delivery and cooling fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
The electrically and thermally-conductive energy delivery device has one or more internal lumens for circulating a cooling fluid therethrough
Implementation Method 2
an electrically and thermally-conductive protrusion having a temperature sensing element extending from a distal end of the energy delivery device
Implementation Method 3
The RF electrical current is typically delivered from a generator via connected electrodes that are placed in a patient's body... Tissue resistance to the current causes heating of tissue adjacent resulting in the coagulation of cells
Implementation Method 4
by controlling a flow rate of the pump assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A system and method of treating tissue of a patient's body includes providing a power source coupled to at least one probe assembly. The probe assembly has at least one an elongate member with a distal region and a proximal region. The distal region has an electrically and thermally-conductive energy delivery device that includes one or more internal lumens and an electrically and thermally-conductive protrusion having a temperature sensing element. The method also includes inserting the energy delivery device into the patient's body. Further, the method includes routing the energy delivery device to the tissue of the patient's body. Moreover, the method includes simultaneously circulating the cooling fluid through the internal lumens via at least one pump assembly and delivering energy from the power source to the tissue through the energy delivery device. The method further includes actively controlling energy delivered to the tissue by controlling an amount of energy delivered through the energy delivery device and by controlling a flow rate of the pump assembly.