Expandable Endometrial Ablation Device with Capacitive Plasma Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endometrial ablation technologies face challenges such as slow treatment times, incomplete ablation, non-uniform ablation depths, and risk of injury to adjacent organs due to inefficiencies in radiofrequency current delivery.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing an expandable-contractible frame with a thin-walled elastomer energy-delivery surface and capacitive coupling of radiofrequency current through an ionized gas, allowing for controlled and uniform ablation with reduced risk to adjacent organs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional radiofrequency ablation devices are used, then endometrial ablation can be performed, but treatment time is slow and ablation depth is non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment timeVSAvoidablation depth uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ablation device is divided into multiple segments: a frame structure with multiple arms, a dielectric member with multiple zones, and multiple electrodes distributed across the surface. This segmentation allows different regions to treat endometrial tissue independently, achieving uniform ablation depth across the entire endometrium while reducing overall treatment time through parallel processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different zones of the dielectric member and corresponding electrodes are designed with varying properties to create localized ablation effects. The frame arms and dielectric zones can be configured to provide different energy densities and ablation depths in different regions, ensuring uniform treatment throughout the endometrium while maintaining overall treatment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional electrode designs are used, then ablation can be achieved, but risk of injury to adjacent organs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidrisk of injury to adjacent organs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A dielectric member is introduced as an intermediary between the electrodes and the endometrial tissue. This dielectric layer acts as a mediator that distributes radiofrequency energy uniformly across the tissue surface, preventing focal overheating and reducing the risk of injury to adjacent organs such as the bladder and rectum while maintaining effective ablation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dielectric member is constructed as a thin-walled structure that can conform to the uterine cavity geometry. This flexible dielectric shell provides uniform energy distribution across the endometrium while its thin wall minimizes interference with adjacent organs, enhancing safety during the ablation procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If solid or metalized fabric electrodes are used, then radiofrequency current can be delivered, but treatment completeness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment speedVSAvoidtreatment completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode system incorporates a frame structure with movable or expandable arms that can adapt to different uterine cavity configurations. This dynamic design ensures complete contact with the endometrial surface regardless of patient anatomy, achieving treatment completeness while maintaining rapid treatment speed through optimized current delivery paths.

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 system enables rapid and controlled endometrial ablation with uniform tissue effect, reducing treatment time and minimizing risks to adjacent tissues.

Implementation Method 1

applying radiofrequency current to endometrial tissue by means of capacitively coupling the current through an expandable, thin-wall dielectric member enclosing an ionized gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

applying radiofrequency current to endometrial tissue... to ablate endometrial tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

expandable, thin-wall dielectric member enclosing an ionized gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 4

capacitively coupling the current through an expandable, thin-wall dielectric member enclosing an ionized gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230310065A1Systems and methods for endometrial ablation

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 AXORA MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A device for endometrial ablation having an elongated shaft with a working end comprising an expandable-contractable frame, a complaint energy-delivery surface carried by the frame, the surface and the frame being configured to engage against the interior of a patient's uterine cavity when the working end is inserted into the cavity and the frame is expanded.