Endoscopic Cryoablation Catheter for Pancreatic Cancer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for unresectable pancreatic cancer, such as radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy, face challenges including thermal injuries to nearby structures, difficulty in visualizing the ablated zone, and limitations in cooling power, leading to inadequate treatment and increased risks of damaging non-target tissues.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic cryoablation catheter with a flexible and steerable probe capable of penetrating desmoplasia and fibrous tissue, integrated with an endoscope for minimally invasive treatment, using cryogenic fluids like argon or liquid nitrogen, and equipped with heating elements to prevent freezing damage, allowing for precise and effective ablation of pancreatic tumors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryoablation is used to treat pancreatic cancer, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of damage to non-target tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an endoscope as an intermediary device that guides the cryoprobe to the target pancreatic tumor through visual imaging. The endoscope acts as a mediator between the operator and the deep pancreatic location, enabling precise positioning of the cryoprobe at the tumor site while avoiding damage to surrounding non-target tissues such as the bile duct, duodenum, and vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the cryoablation effect specifically at the tumor site through EUS-guided positioning. The cryoprobe delivers freezing therapy locally to the pancreatic tumor while the endoscopic guidance ensures that only the target area is affected, leaving surrounding healthy tissues unaffected.
2Power
If RFA is used to treat pancreatic cancer, then ablation capability is improved, but thermal injury to nearby structures occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of ablation from thermal (RFA) to cryogenic freezing. By using cryoablation instead of radiofrequency ablation, the treatment achieves effective tumor destruction through freezing while avoiding the thermal injury to nearby structures that characterizes RFA. The cryoprobe delivers controlled freezing temperatures specifically to the tumor site.
3Adaptability or versatility
If invasive surgical access is used to reach pancreatic tumors, then treatment accessibility is improved, but procedure invasiveness and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the endoscope, a minimally invasive diagnostic tool, to perform both visualization and guidance functions for therapeutic cryoablation. This multi-functional use of the endoscope allows access to deep pancreatic tumors through natural body orifices without requiring invasive surgical incisions, combining diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities in a single minimally invasive procedure.
4Power
If current cryoprobes are used in endoscopic procedure, then cryoablation capability is provided, but damage to endoscope occurs due to freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cryoprobe from the endoscope by using a dedicated accessory channel or working channel. The cryoprobe is introduced separately through the endoscope's channel rather than being integrated with the endoscope body, allowing the cryoablation function to be performed while isolating the endoscope from direct exposure to extreme freezing temperatures that would cause 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
The endoscopic cryoablation catheter provides a minimally invasive, effective treatment option that reduces morbidity, costs, and procedure time, while enhancing the ability to selectively ablate pancreatic cancer, reducing recurrence and mortality rates, and integrating with other therapies for improved outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
using cryogenic fluids like argon or liquid nitrogen
Implementation Method 2
equipped with heating elements to prevent freezing damage
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic cryoablation apparatus for the ablation of unwanted tissues is disclosed. A method of utilizing the apparatus for ablating pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, or other undesired tissue is also incorporated. The apparatus provides a cryoprobe needle tip covered by an outer sheath at a distal end of a catheter shaft such that the distal end includes a defined ablation zone. As implemented, the cryocatheter can be utilized alone or in combination with and endoscopic ultrasound. A moveable handle attached to the outer sheath is configured such that the handle retracts and protracts the outer sheath to expose and cover, respectively, the cryoprobe needle tip.