Expandable Microwave Antenna for Uniform Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave antenna probes fail to provide uniform heating axially and radially, and there is a risk of dragging cancerous cells during insertion and removal, making it difficult to create a large ablation region effectively.
Innovation Solution
A deployable antenna assembly with a radiating portion that includes an outer and inner conductor, where at least one of the conductors is movable to expand radially, creating a larger ablation region and allowing for precise energy delivery to tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional antenna probes are inserted directly into tissue to deliver microwave energy, then the treatment can be performed with a simple structure, but uniform heating axially and radially cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna probe is segmented into multiple radiating elements arranged in specific geometric patterns (e.g., circular arrays, linear arrays). Each element can be independently controlled to deliver microwave energy, enabling uniform heating distribution both axially and radially by coordinating the phase and amplitude of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna design transitions from conventional single-axis radiation to multi-dimensional radiation patterns. By arranging radiating elements in three-dimensional configurations (circular arrays, helical structures), the system achieves uniform energy distribution in both axial and radial directions simultaneously, resolving the heating uniformity problem.
2Ease of operation
If conventional antenna probes are inserted into tissue, then the device can be simple to operate, but there is a risk of dragging cancerous cells during insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna probe incorporates a collapsible or expandable structure that can transition between a compact configuration for insertion/removal and an expanded configuration for treatment. The probe is collapsed to a small profile during insertion to minimize tissue disturbance and prevent cancerous cell dragging, then expanded at the treatment site to deliver microwave energy effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements are nested within each other or folded into a compact configuration during insertion and removal phases. This nesting allows the probe to pass through tissue with minimal disruption, reducing the risk of cancerous cell dissemination, while still providing the necessary radiating structure when deployed for treatment.
3Area of stationary object
If a large ablation region is created using multiple ablation instruments, then the treatment coverage is improved, but the procedure complexity and number of insertions increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single antenna probe is segmented into multiple radiating elements that can be independently controlled. By coordinating the phase and amplitude of each element, the system can create large ablation regions through constructive interference of microwave fields, eliminating the need for multiple separate instruments while maintaining treatment coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna probe is designed with multi-functionality, capable of delivering microwave energy through multiple radiating elements from a single insertion point. This universal design allows one probe to perform the function previously requiring multiple instruments, simplifying the procedure while achieving large ablation regions.
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 deployable antenna assembly enables more uniform and controlled microwave energy distribution, reducing the risk of tissue damage and improving the creation of a larger ablation region, enhancing the precision and safety of tissue treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The radiating portion is configured to deliver energy from a power source to tissue of a patient
Implementation Method 2
microwave energy is able to non-invasively penetrate the skin to reach the underlying tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation device includes an antenna assembly having a radiating portion configured to deliver energy from a power source to tissue of a patient. The radiating portion has an outer conductor and an inner conductor extending therethrough. The inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor and defines a longitudinal axis. One of the inner conductor and the outer conductor is movable relative to the other to cause at least a portion of the outer conductor to expand radially relative to the longitudinal axis.