Epidural Catheter Steering Wires as RF Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional epidural catheters that only inject medications have limitations in treating pain, as they do not effectively combine chemical and electromagnetic treatment methods, and lack precise control over RF electric field direction and distribution, leading to inadequate treatment precision and penetration depth.
Innovation Solution
An epidural catheter with integrated RF generation function, featuring steering wires that act as electrodes, allowing for adjustable RF electric field direction and distribution, and a variable frequency circuit to optimize treatment effects by controlling the penetration depth of the electric field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional catheters only inject medications, then the device structure remains simple, but treatment effectiveness is limited and cannot combine chemical and electromagnetic treatment methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines medication injection and RF electromagnetic treatment functions into a single catheter device. The catheter includes both medication injection channels and RF electrodes (steering wires) that can generate RF electromagnetic fields, allowing simultaneous chemical and electromagnetic treatment of pain areas without requiring separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a medication delivery system and an RF treatment device. The steering wires can function as both navigation elements and RF electrodes, and the device can perform both chemical injection and electromagnetic field generation, reducing the need for multiple separate medical devices
2Productivity
If RF treatment is performed separately from catheter procedures, then each treatment can be optimized, but the overall treatment process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates RF treatment capability directly into the catheter structure, allowing both medication injection and RF electromagnetic field application to be performed through the same device during a single procedural intervention, eliminating the need for separate RF treatment sessions
3Measurement precision
If RF electrodes are fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but the direction and distribution of the RF electric field cannot be adjusted for precise treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs steerable wires that can be dynamically positioned and oriented within the epidural space. The steering mechanism allows the RF electrodes to be directed toward specific target areas, enabling dynamic adjustment of the RF electric field direction and distribution to match the precise location and shape of pain-causing nerve structures
Solution Approach 2:
The RF electrodes are designed to concentrate the electromagnetic field energy at specific local targets within the epidural space. By steering the wires to precise locations and controlling the RF field distribution, the treatment energy is focused on the specific pain-generating areas while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues
4Reliability
If a single frequency RF generator is used, then the device is simpler, but the penetration depth of the electric field cannot be adjusted for different treatment needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a variable frequency RF generator that can adjust the operating frequency of the RF electromagnetic field. By changing the frequency parameter, the penetration depth of the electric field can be optimized for different treatment scenarios - higher frequencies for superficial targets and lower frequencies for deeper nerve structures, providing adaptable treatment for various clinical conditions
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
Enhances treatment efficacy by allowing precise RF irradiation on specific areas, maximizing the combination of chemical and electromagnetic treatment methods, and adjusting the electric field distribution and penetration depth for improved pain relief.
Implementation Method 1
two steering wires may be interpolated in the inserting part, the two steering wires being manipulated by the manipulating part so as to allow flexion of the inserting part to be controlled, and wherein, by allowing power status to be turned on/off using the main body as medium, the steering wires may act as electrodes
Implementation Method 2
there has been an increase in performing RF treatments, which create an electric field by irradiating RF electromagnetic waves on nerve areas that cause pain, and which reduce pain through such electric field
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an epidural catheter with an RF generation function. More specifically, the epidural catheter with an RF generation function may include a main body, an inserting part being connected to the main body and being inserted inside a physical body, and a manipulating part being provided in the main body and being connected to the inserting part or an internal assembly part of the inserting part, so as to manipulate the inserting part or to perform a function of the inserting part, wherein two steering wires may be interpolated in the inserting part, the two steering wires being manipulated by the manipulating part so as to allow flexion of the inserting part to be controlled, and wherein, by allowing power status to be turned on/off using the main body as medium, the steering wires may act as electrodes.