Exothermic Chemical Ablation Probe

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tissue ablation devices using electromagnetic radiation face challenges in precision and safety, as they struggle to accurately determine the extent of thermal energy distribution in surrounding tissue, leading to potential tissue damage and longer recovery times.

Innovation Solution

An ablation device utilizing an exothermic chemical reaction to deliver thermal energy through a probe with a heat-transfer portion and fluid-flow paths, where a mixing junction combines acids and bases to generate heat, allowing for controlled thermal energy application without electromagnetic radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electromagnetic radiation is used to heat and ablate tissue, then thermal energy can be delivered to target tissue, but it is difficult to assess the extent of thermal energy distribution in surrounding tissue, leading to potential tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassessment of thermal energy distributionVSAvoidundesired tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electromagnetic radiation-based heating with a chemical reaction-based heating system. The ablation device uses fluid reservoirs containing reactants that undergo an exothermic chemical reaction to generate thermal energy directly at the treatment site, eliminating the need for electromagnetic radiation and enabling more precise control over thermal energy distribution in surrounding tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Power

If microwave apparatus is used for ablation procedures, then thermal energy can be delivered to tissue, but device complexity increases due to microwave generator and cable assembly requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy deliveryVSAvoidmicrowave generator and cable assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex microwave generator and cable assembly components from the ablation system. Instead, it employs a simplified device comprising a probe with integrated fluid reservoirs containing chemical reactants that generate thermal energy through exothermic reactions, removing the need for external power generation equipment and complex transmission cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ablation device utilizes self-contained fluid reservoirs within the probe that hold chemical reactants. These reactants undergo exothermic reactions autonomously to generate the required thermal energy for tissue ablation, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependence on external microwave generators and power supply infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If electromagnetic radiation-based ablation is used, then tissue can be ablated, but device portability and location independence are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue ablation capabilityVSAvoiddevice portability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ablation device incorporates self-contained fluid reservoirs within the probe that hold chemical reactants. These reactants undergo exothermic reactions autonomously to generate the required thermal energy for tissue ablation, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependence on external microwave generators and power supply infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach enables more precise and controlled tissue ablation, reducing tissue damage and improving recovery times by providing a portable and location-independent method for delivering thermal energy directly to targeted tissue areas.

Implementation Method 1

The probe is configured to apply thermal energy released by an exothermic chemical reaction that occurs when fluid from the at least one fluid reservoir is caused to flow to the heat-transfer portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic chemical reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

The probe includes a heat-transfer portion and at least one fluid-flow path in fluid communication with the heat-transfer portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10398491B2Ablation devices utilizing exothermic chemical reactions, system including same, and methods of ablating tissue using same

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

An ablation device includes a handle assembly including a distal end and a probe extending distally from the distal end of the handle assembly. The probe includes a heat-transfer portion and at least one fluid-flow path in fluid communication with the heat-transfer portion. The handle assembly includes at least one fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the at least one fluid-flow path and at least one apparatus configured to cause fluid flow between the at least one fluid reservoir and the heat-transfer portion. The probe is configured to apply thermal energy released by an exothermic chemical reaction that occurs when fluid from the at least one fluid reservoir is caused to flow to the heat-transfer portion.