Deployable Sensor Ablation Probe for Thermal Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal ablation technologies face challenges in accurately monitoring tissue temperatures, especially at the periphery of the ablation zone, leading to incomplete target tissue ablation and damage to surrounding healthy tissues due to limited mobility of thermal sensors and difficulties in positioning additional monitoring devices.
Innovation Solution
An ablation probe with a deployable assembly and sensors that can be extended radially from the probe tip to monitor temperature gradients and tissue characteristics, allowing for precise temperature monitoring within and around the ablation zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal sensors are placed inside or on the surface of the probe to monitor tip temperature, then temperature monitoring capability is provided, but the sensors become fixed and cannot be moved or displaced, severely limiting the ability to provide detailed thermal information at multiple positions within and around the iceball
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static sensor arrangement into a dynamic system by incorporating a deployable assembly with sensors that can be extended radially outward from the probe tip. This allows sensors to move from a fixed internal position to multiple positions around the periphery of the iceball, enabling temperature monitoring at various radial distances and angles while maintaining the probe's structural integrity during the ablation procedure
2Measurement precision
If separate thermal monitoring devices are inserted adjacent or perpendicular to the ablation probe to monitor tissue temperature, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but positioning and placing the probes makes temperature measurements throughout the entire ablative zone difficult if not impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ablation probe with thermal monitoring capabilities by integrating a deployable sensor assembly directly into the probe structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate thermal monitoring devices and allows the sensors to be positioned precisely at the probe tip and extended radially outward, simplifying the overall positioning process and enabling comprehensive temperature measurement throughout the ablative zone without requiring multiple separate procedures
3Temperature
If the freeze area extends beyond the periphery of the target into surrounding non-target tissue to attain designated temperature within target tissue, then adequate cooling is achieved, but a large portion of damaged tissue is outside the target site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by deploying temperature sensors radially outward from the probe tip to monitor the actual temperature distribution around the periphery of the iceball. This real-time temperature feedback allows the system to detect when the freeze area extends beyond the target and adjust the ablation parameters accordingly, enabling precise control of the thermal boundary to minimize collateral damage to surrounding non-target tissue while ensuring adequate temperature achievement within the target
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 more controlled and precise thermal ablation procedures by providing detailed temperature data across the entire ablative zone, reducing collateral damage to surrounding tissues and improving the effectiveness of target tissue ablation.
Implementation Method 1
Often the ablation is performed by passing energy, such as electrical energy, through one or more electrodes causing the tissue in contact with the electrodes to be heat ablated
Implementation Method 2
Cryo-probes and cryo-catheters are also used to freeze the tissue during cryoablation. Cryosurgery creates an iceball
Implementation Method 3
collecting information regarding the three-dimensional thermal profile of tissues in and around a treatment zone is extremely important
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a thermal ablation probe device that integrates deployable sensors with a freezing probe or heating probe for use in ablating tissues. The ablation probe includes a longitudinal body including a thermal ablation energy source which may be, e.g., a cryosource or a heat source. The longitudinal body has a proximal end and a distal end terminating at a probe tip; and at least one deployable assembly disposed within the longitudinal body. The deployable assembly includes a flexible and substantially rigid deployment member, and at least one sensor affixed to a distal end of the deployment member. The ablation probe further includes a control mechanism for controlling deployment and retraction of the deployable assembly.