Expandable Balloon Tissue Ablation Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy for cancer treatment is costly, time-consuming, and often causes unintended damage to healthy tissues, leading to incomplete treatment and patient non-compliance due to its drawbacks, especially in cases where residual cancerous cells remain after tumor removal.
Innovation Solution
A tissue ablation device with a deployable applicator head that emits radiofrequency (RF) energy to treat marginal tissue surrounding a cavity, using a dual-balloon design that allows for precise delivery of RF energy without direct contact, reducing the need for syringe pumps and minimizing wattage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiation therapy is used to treat residual cancerous tissue, then cancer cells can be eradicated, but healthy tissue is damaged and treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator head is divided into multiple independently controllable RF electrodes that can be selectively activated. Each electrode treats a specific zone of marginal tissue, allowing precise control over which areas receive treatment energy, thereby protecting healthy tissue while effectively treating cancerous regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different treatment parameters to different locations. RF energy is delivered only to zones where cancerous tissue is present, with adjustable power levels and treatment durations tailored to each specific area's needs, rather than uniformly treating the entire cavity perimeter.
2Reliability
If radiation therapy is used to treat residual cancerous tissue, then cancer cells can be eradicated, but treatment duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF ablation is delivered in controlled cycles with periodic cooling intervals. The system alternates between active RF energy delivery and cooling periods, allowing tissue temperature to be maintained within therapeutic ranges while preventing overheating, enabling effective treatment in shorter timeframes compared to continuous radiation therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple RF electrodes can be activated simultaneously or in sequence to treat different zones of the cavity, allowing parallel processing of multiple treatment areas. This continuous multi-zone treatment approach significantly reduces total treatment time compared to sequential radiation therapy sessions.
3Measurement precision
If a deployable applicator head is used to deliver RF energy, then precise controlled doses can be delivered, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator head employs a nested dual-balloon structure where an inner balloon is positioned within an outer balloon. This compact nested configuration allows the complex multi-electrode assembly to be collapsed into a small delivery profile for easy insertion, then expanded at the target site to provide precise electrode positioning against the cavity wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator head transitions dynamically between a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded treatment configuration. The inflatable balloon structure allows the device to adapt its shape and size, enabling easy delivery through catheters while providing a stable, complex electrode array at the treatment site for precise RF energy delivery.
4Reliability
If a dual-balloon design is used for applicator head, then RF energy delivery is improved without direct contact, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-balloon structure serves as an intermediary between the RF electrodes and the tissue. The balloons inflate to press the electrode array against the cavity wall, ensuring intimate contact for effective energy transfer without requiring direct manual positioning. This intermediary mechanism provides reliable, repeatable electrode-tissue contact while protecting the complex electrode structure.
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 effective and controlled ablation of marginal tissue, minimizing tumor recurrence and reducing damage to healthy tissues, while being suitable for various body cavities and organs, including those created by lumpectomy procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The expandable balloon assembly includes an expandable inner balloon and an expandable outer balloon configured to expand in response to delivery of a fluid
Implementation Method 2
A conductive element positioned within the balloon and configured to deliver radiofrequency energy for ablation of the target tissue
Implementation Method 3
emit non-ionizing radiation, such as radiofrequency (RF) energy, to treat the marginal tissue around the tissue cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a tissue ablation system (10) including an ablation device (14) having a deployable applicator head (16) configured to be delivered to a tissue cavity and ablate marginal tissue surrounding the tissue cavity. The deployable applicator head (16) is configured to be delivered to a tissue cavity while in a collapsed configuration and ablate marginal tissue surrounding the tissue cavity while in an expanded configuration.