Flexible Microwave Antenna Structure for Tortuous Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue ablation devices face challenges in navigating tortuous anatomy due to the rigidity of traditional microwave antennas, which limits their flexibility and ability to recover from bends, and also struggle with controlling ablation zone size and insertion depth.
Innovation Solution
The development of a flexible antenna system with a novel configuration, including a flexible antenna body made from a highly elastic material plated with a conductive material, and adjustable parameters such as antenna length and pattern, to enhance flexibility and control over tissue ablation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rigid microwave antennas are used for tissue ablation, then ablation effectiveness is maintained, but flexibility and ability to navigate tortuous anatomy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by constructing the antenna body from a flexible material (such as a polymer or elastomer) that can bend and conform to tortuous anatomical pathways while maintaining its structural integrity. The flexible antenna body allows navigation through complex anatomy without permanent deformation, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for navigation and shape retention for reliable ablation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining a flexible substrate material with conductive material (such as metal traces or coating) to create an antenna body that simultaneously achieves mechanical flexibility for navigation and electrical conductivity for microwave emission. This composite structure enables both ease of operation in tortuous anatomy and maintained antenna functionality.
2Length of moving object
If antenna length is increased to reach deeper tissue targets, then insertion depth capability is improved, but control over ablation zone size deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the antenna into multiple discrete radiating elements or segments along its length. This allows selective activation of specific segments to control the ablation zone size and shape, enabling precise control even when the overall antenna length is extended to reach deeper tissue targets. Individual segments can be independently controlled to limit or focus the ablation effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making the antenna configuration adjustable or reconfigurable, allowing the antenna to change its effective radiating length or pattern dynamically. This enables the antenna to be inserted to greater depths while maintaining control over ablation zone size by adjusting which portions are actively radiating at any given time.
3Ease of operation
If flexible material is used for antenna body, then navigability through tortuous anatomy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle using a flexible shell or film as the antenna body substrate, which can be manufactured using standard flexible PCB or thin-film deposition techniques. These methods are well-established in the industry and do not significantly increase manufacturing complexity, while providing the necessary flexibility for navigation through tortuous anatomy.
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 flexible antenna system allows for improved navigation through anatomical bends, maintains antenna shape and manufacturability, and facilitates precise control over tissue ablation parameters, including ablation zone size and insertion depth.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible antenna system includes a flexible antenna body made from a highly elastic material plated with a conductive material
Implementation Method 2
a flexible antenna body made from a highly elastic material plated with a conductive material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 3D~3E
AI summary
A flexible instrument comprises an antenna having a distal tip portion, a proximal base, and an antenna body therebetween. The antenna body comprises a patterned cylindrical structure having a proximal end coupled to the proximal base and a distal end coupled to the distal tip portion. The flexible instrument is configured to generate a radiation pattern from the antenna to ablate tissue.