Direct Current Catheter Electrodes for Non-Thermal Tissue Ablation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) often involve thermal methods that can cause side effects and are invasive, lacking a minimally invasive, non-thermal option for effectively ablating prostate tissue without significant heat generation.

Innovation Solution

A non-implantable system employing direct current ablation using a semi-flexible trans-lumen catheter with multiple electrodes that deliver a controlled charge to create necrotic zones without thermal damage, allowing for precise tissue ablation with minimal invasiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal methods are used to ablate prostate tissue, then tissue ablation effectiveness is improved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue and side effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue ablation effectivenessVSAvoidthermal damage to surrounding tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of energy delivery from thermal to non-thermal (electrical current). The electrodes deliver controlled electrical current directly to prostate tissue, creating necrotic zones through electrochemical effects rather than thermal heating, thereby achieving effective tissue ablation without thermal damage to surrounding structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal mechanism (heat generation and diffusion) with an electrical mechanism (direct current delivery and electrochemical tissue destruction). This substitution allows for more precise control of the ablation zone and reduces unwanted thermal spread to adjacent healthy tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If invasive surgical procedures are used to treat BPH, then treatment efficacy is improved, but patient recovery time and pain increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidpatient recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential ablation function from complex invasive surgical procedures. By using a minimally invasive catheter-based electrode system that delivers electrical current directly to the prostate through the urethra, it achieves effective tissue destruction without the need for open surgery, thereby reducing recovery time and patient discomfort while maintaining treatment efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If non-thermal direct current ablation is used, then thermal side effects are reduced, but the ability to create predictable necrotic zones decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal side effectsVSAvoidpredictability of necrotic zone formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through controlled current delivery parameters. By precisely regulating the electrical current magnitude, duration, and distribution across multiple electrodes, the system creates predictable necrotic zones through electrochemical effects, with the treatment parameters optimized to ensure consistent and controllable tissue destruction without thermal spread

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 effectively ablates prostate tissue with minimal heat generation, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy by creating necrotic zones that coalesce to form a predictable field of treatment, thus addressing the limitations of existing thermal methods.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirect current ablation: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2326273B1System including a catheter and deployable electrodes for the non-thermal ablation of tissue

Publication Date: 2021.11.24 PROSTACARE

Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.