Curved RF Ablation Probe Access for Hard-to-Reach Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF ablation probes are straight and direct RF energy distally, limiting access to areas not accessible and direction of energy, necessitating a system that can access hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation and direct RF energy in non-distal directions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a stylet, cannula, needle, and drill to create a curved pathway for an RF ablation probe with flexible distal end and electrodes, allowing angled and curved positioning and RF energy propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a straight RF ablation probe is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot access areas not accessible by straight probes and cannot direct RF energy in directions other than distally
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a stylet for initial access, a cannula for guiding, a needle for creating the curved pathway, and an RF ablation probe for treatment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving the ability to access complex anatomical regions that a single straight probe cannot reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula acts as an intermediary device that guides the needle and subsequent RF probe through a controlled pathway. The stylet serves as an intermediary to initially establish the pathway and position the cannula. These intermediary components enable the delivery of the RF energy probe to locations that would be inaccessible to a direct straight probe approach.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a straight RF ablation probe is used, then the device is simple in structure, but it limits the direction of RF energy propagation to distal only
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is designed with a curved distal end portion that enables creation of a curved pathway in angled and curved directions relative to the mid-longitudinal axis of the cannula. This curvature allows the RF ablation probe to be positioned at various angles and directions adjacent to the target tissues, enabling RF energy propagation in non-distal directions while maintaining a relatively simple probe structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional straight probe approach to a multi-dimensional curved pathway approach. By introducing angular and curved dimensions through the needle and cannula configuration, the RF energy can be directed in multiple spatial directions (not just distally) while keeping the probe itself relatively simple in structure.
3Ease of operation
If a flexible distal end portion of the RF ablation probe is used, then positioning in angled and curved pathways is facilitated, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end portion of the RF ablation probe is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the curved pathway created by the needle. This flexibility enables the probe to be easily positioned in angled and curved directions without requiring complex mechanical articulation or steering mechanisms, achieving ease of operation with minimal added complexity.
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
Enables access and ablation of hard and/or soft tissues in complex anatomical regions by creating a flexible, curved pathway for the RF ablation probe, facilitating effective treatment of nerve pain due to degenerative disease.
Implementation Method 1
activating the RF ablation probe to ablate all or portions of the hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation
Implementation Method 2
RF ablation using RF ablation probes has been successfully used for the palliative treatment of painful spinal metastases
Implementation Method 3
at least the distal end portion of the RF ablation probe is flexible to facilitate positioning thereof in an angled and curved portion of the pathway
Data Source
AI summary
An access and radio-frequency (RF) ablation system and method for use thereof is provided. The access and RF ablation system can include an RF ablation probe, a stylet, a cannula, a needle, and a drill. The method of using the access and radio-frequency ablation system can include inserting portions of a combined stylet into a patient's body to create a pathway therethrough and position a distal end of the stylet and a distal end of the cannula adjacent hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation or tissues adjacent thereto; pushing portions of the needle into, through, and out of an interior cavity of the cannula to position a curved distal end of the needle adjacent the distal end of the cannula in the pathway; lengthening the pathway in an angled and curved direction relative to a mid-longitudinal axis of the cannula by pushing the curved distal end portion of the needle further into the hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation or the tissues adjacent thereto; guiding a drill using the needle to enlarge and/or further lengthen the pathway in the hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation or the tissues adjacent thereto in an angled and curved direction relative to the mid-longitudinal axis of the cannula; pushing portions of the RF ablation probe into, through, and out of the cannula and into and through the pathway to position a distal end portion of the RF ablation probe adjacent the hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation; and activating the RF ablation probe to ablate all or portions of the hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation.