Cryoprobe Tip Cauterization for Safe Needle Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cryoablation apparatuses and methods face challenges in safely repositioning needles during treatments, as they may transfer abnormal tissue or cause bleeding, particularly when the needle is moved after initial placement.

Innovation Solution

A cryoablation system with a cryoprobe that includes a heater to cauterize the tip of the needle to a predetermined temperature threshold, providing real-time feedback through sensors and a user interface to indicate when the cauterization is complete, allowing safe repositioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the needle is moved after being placed at or near target tissue, then repositioning flexibility is improved, but abnormal tissue transfer and bleeding occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle repositioning flexibilityVSAvoidabnormal tissue transfer and bleeding

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cauterization by heating the needle tip to a predetermined temperature threshold before allowing needle repositioning. This preliminary thermal action seals tissue around the needle tract, preventing abnormal tissue transfer and bleeding during subsequent needle movement to new positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates temperature sensors that provide real-time feedback on needle tip temperature. This feedback mechanism monitors whether the cauterization temperature threshold has been reached, enabling precise control of the cauterization process and confirming when the needle is safe to reposition without causing tissue damage or bleeding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If cauterization temperature is increased to prevent tissue transfer, then tissue sealing effectiveness is improved, but risk of damaging healthy tissue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue sealing effectivenessVSAvoiddamage to healthy tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature sensors provide continuous feedback on needle tip temperature, enabling precise control of the cauterization process. The system maintains temperature at or above a predetermined threshold sufficient for tissue sealing while preventing excessive heating that could damage healthy tissue, achieving reliable sealing with minimized harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the thermal parameter (temperature) to a specific predetermined threshold that balances tissue sealing effectiveness with safety. By controlling the needle tip temperature to reach and maintain this threshold, the system achieves reliable tissue sealing while preventing damage to surrounding healthy structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If real-time temperature monitoring is implemented, then cauterization control precision is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecauterization control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature sensors provide real-time feedback on needle tip temperature, enabling precise control of the cauterization process. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and adjust heating to maintain the predetermined temperature threshold, achieving high cauterization control precision through straightforward temperature measurement and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 minimizes the transfer of abnormal tissue and reduces bleeding by ensuring proper cauterization before needle repositioning, enhancing safety and control during cryoablation procedures.

Implementation Method 1

energizing a heater in the cryoprobe to heat a tip of the cryoprobe to a predetermined cautery temperature threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

obtaining cryoprobe operating information from one or more sensors positioned in the cryoprobe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 3

cooling the tip of the cryoprobe to a temperature less than or equal to a movement temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCryogenic cooling: Cryogenics

Data Source

PatentEP4696260A1Cryoablation apparatuses and related methods for needle repositioning

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

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AI summary

A method of positioning a cryoprobe (600) includes receiving a cryoprobe repositioning selector (602) indicating a desire to reposition a cryoprobe relative to a target tissue; obtaining cryoprobe operating information from one or more sensors positioned in the cryoprobe (604), wherein the cryoprobe operating information characterizes one or more operating parameters of the cryoprobe; energizing a heater in the cryoprobe to heat a tip of the cryoprobe to a predetermined cautery temperature threshold (606); and displaying a cautery indicator when the tip of the cryoprobe is greater than or equal to the cautery temperature threshold (616).