Endoscopic Electric Pulse Ablation With Dynamic Electrode Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ablation apparatuses using double needle parallel electrodes have fixed electrode distances, leading to inflexible electric field sizes and inadequate ablation effects, necessitating multiple operations and increased trauma for treating tumors in complex body areas like the pancreas and bile ducts.

Innovation Solution

An electric pulse ablatograph for an endoscope with a central and cylindrical electrode assembly, adjustable electric field size, and a control device to adjust the displacement of electrodes, allowing precise ablation with reduced trauma by delivering electrodes through a natural body channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If double needle parallel electrodes with fixed distance are used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the electric field size cannot be adjusted with the ablation cross section of the tumor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidelectric field size adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the electrode system dynamic by allowing the central electrode and cylindrical electrode to move independently along the same axis. The control device adjusts their relative displacement in real-time during ablation, enabling the electric field size to adapt to different tumor cross-sections while maintaining a relatively simple apparatus structure without complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of electrode displacement to control electric field size. By adjusting the displacement difference between the central electrode and cylindrical electrode, the system varies the electric field radius dynamically, allowing adaptation to different tumor sizes without changing the electrode structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operations are performed to achieve adequate ablation effect, then the electric field can cover different tumor sizes, but the treatment time increases and trauma to the patient increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveablation effect coverageVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous effective ablation by allowing real-time adjustment of the electric field size during a single operation. The control device continuously monitors the tumor cross-section and adjusts the electrode displacement accordingly, maintaining optimal ablation conditions throughout the procedure without requiring multiple separate operations, thus reducing treatment time and patient trauma.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to varying tumor dimensions during a single continuous operation, eliminating the need for multiple discrete procedures and reducing overall treatment time while maintaining adequate ablation coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operations are performed to achieve adequate ablation effect, then the electric field can cover different tumor sizes, but the wound healing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveablation effect coverageVSAvoidwound healing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By enabling continuous effective ablation in a single operation through real-time electric field size adjustment, the patent reduces the number of surgical interventions required, thereby decreasing cumulative trauma and shortening the overall wound healing time compared to multiple separate operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the ablation process into controlled stages by independently adjusting the displacement of the central electrode and cylindrical electrode, allowing precise control over the ablation zone size to match the tumor cross-section at each position, achieving adequate coverage in a single operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If fixed electrode distance is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the electric field energy distribution is inconsistent across the ablation cross section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidenergy distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the displacement parameter of the electrodes dynamically during ablation. By adjusting the relative displacement between the central and cylindrical electrodes, the system optimizes the electric field energy distribution across different cross-sections of the tumor, ensuring consistent energy delivery without requiring complex apparatus modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic adjustment mechanism allows real-time optimization of energy distribution by varying the electric field size to match the tumor cross-section, achieving uniform energy delivery across the ablation zone while maintaining a relatively simple apparatus structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 ablatograph enables precise, efficient ablation with adjustable electric field sizes, reducing treatment times and ensuring consistent energy distribution across the ablation cross-section, minimizing bodily trauma.

Implementation Method 1

an ablation electric field is generated between the discharging end of the central electrode and the cylindrical electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric Field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

an ablation electric field is generated between the discharging end of the central electrode and the cylindrical electrode, and a size or radius of the ablation electric field is positively correlated to a distance between the discharging end of the central electrode and the cylindrical electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule Heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

a pulse waveform generator coupled to the electrode assembly and configured to transmit pulse voltage to the electrode assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric Pulse: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3973901B1Electric pulse ablation instrument for use in endoscope
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 HANGZHOUREADY BIOLOGICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP3973901B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3973901B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3973901B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to the technical field of pulse ablation, in particular to an electric pulse ablatograph for an endoscope, which includes: an electrode assembly including a central electrode and a cylindrical electrode and configured to pass through a working channel of the endoscope into a body and transmit a pulse to tissues in use; a pulse waveform generator coupled to the electrode assembly and configured to transmit pulse voltage to the electrode assembly; an electrode driving device configured to drive the central electrode and the cylindrical electrode; a parameter input device configured to configure coordinate information of an ablation region; and a control device in signal connection with the parameter input device and in control connection with the electrode driving device. The control device respectively controls the displacement of the central electrode and cylindrical electrode according to preset coordinate information through the electrode driving device; when a discharging end of the electrode assembly reaches a preset position, the control device controls the pulse waveform generator to be connected with the electrode assembly. A natural channel in a human body is used to deliver the electrode to a complex area of the human body for ablation, thus decreasing the trauma to the human body.