Flexible Adjustable Tips for Energy Delivery Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy delivery devices for medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, have rigid tips that are difficult to maneuver and require multiple tools for different tip shapes, limiting access to optimal shapes and increasing the need for multiple devices during procedures.
Innovation Solution
Development of energy delivery devices with flexible and adjustable tips, featuring a conductive tip that can be angled and adjusted, allowing for customizable angles and shapes to optimize access to tissue regions, and integration with systems that include power supplies and imaging systems for precise energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid tips are used in energy delivery devices, then structural stability is maintained, but maneuverability and access to difficult-to-reach areas deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is designed with adjustable angulation capability, allowing it to change from a fixed rigid state to a dynamically adjustable state. The operator can bend or angle the tip to various degrees to access difficult-to-reach tissue areas while maintaining structural integrity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip's geometric parameters (angle, curvature) are made changeable during the procedure. By allowing the tip to be angled or bent to different configurations, the device adapts to various anatomical landmarks and tissue regions without requiring multiple pre-formed rigid tips.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated tools with different tip shapes are provided, then adaptability to different scenarios is improved, but device complexity and the need for multiple tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single energy delivery device incorporates a tip that can assume multiple configurations through adjustment. Instead of requiring separate devices for each tip shape, one universal device with an adjustable tip performs the functions of multiple dedicated tools, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip transitions from static pre-formed shapes to a dynamic adjustable structure. This allows one device to provide multiple tip configurations on demand, eliminating the need for a portfolio of different tools while achieving the same adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If adjustable flexible tips are implemented, then ease of operation and access to tissue regions is improved, but structural stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is designed with controlled flexibility, allowing adjustment during positioning but maintaining stability during energy delivery. The dynamic adjustment capability enables access to difficult areas while the ability to lock or stabilize the tip shape ensures reliable energy transmission when needed.
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 more precise and efficient energy delivery to tissue regions, reducing the need for multiple tools and improving access to difficult-to-reach areas, while maintaining effective energy deposition and minimizing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
RF energy has several limitations, including the rapid dissipation of energy in surface tissues resulting in shallow 'burns'
Implementation Method 2
Microwave energy is an effective energy source for heating biological tissues
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In particular, systems, devices, and methods are provided for treating a tissue region (e.g., a tumor) through application of energy using energy delivery devices with flexible and adjustable tips.