Hydrophilic Electrode RF Ablation for Tissue Margins
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating the margins of excised interstitial spaces, such as those left after tumor removal, are logistically challenging, time-consuming, costly, and often damage healthy tissue, with radiation therapy being costly and chemotherapeutic agents being toxic and difficult to deliver effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and kit using a hydrophilic electrode that absorbs electrically conductive liquid to create a conductive path for RF energy, allowing for effective ablation of tissue margins through a delivery cannula, with the electrode self-expanding to fill the interstitial cavity and convey energy for precise tissue treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiation therapy is used to treat tissue margins, then malignant cells can be destroyed, but treatment is costly, time-consuming, and damages healthy tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic electrode is designed to conform to the specific geometry of the excised interstitial space, providing localized treatment only to the tissue margin where needed. This ensures that RF energy is delivered precisely to the target area without affecting surrounding healthy tissue, resolving the contradiction between effective malignant cell destruction and healthy tissue preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical radiation delivery system with a radiofrequency electrical energy-based system. The hydrophilic electrode converts electrical energy to thermal energy through resistive heating, ablating tissue margins without the logistical challenges and healthy tissue damage associated with radiation therapy equipment and protocols.
2Reliability
If chemotherapeutic agents are used to treat the interstitial space, then malignant cells can be destroyed, but healthy tissue is damaged and excessive drug quantity is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes chemical chemotherapy with physical radiofrequency ablation. The hydrophilic electrode delivers RF energy that heats and destroys malignant cells through thermal effects, eliminating the need for toxic chemotherapeutic agents and their associated systemic side effects while maintaining effective treatment of the interstitial space.
3Ease of manufacture
If RF ablation probe is used to treat tissue margins, then treatment cost is reduced and side effects are minimized, but RF energy cannot ablate tissue in air making it ineffective for interstitial spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic electrode serves as an intermediary medium that enables RF energy transmission in the interstitial space. By absorbing the electrically conductive liquid, the electrode creates a conductive pathway that allows RF energy to be delivered effectively to tissue margins surrounded by air or non-conductive materials, resolving the limitation of conventional RF ablation probes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the interstitial space by introducing an electrically conductive liquid that is absorbed by the hydrophilic electrode. This transformation enables RF energy to penetrate and ablate tissue margins in interstitial spaces where conventional RF probes would be ineffective due to the presence of air or non-conductive materials.
4Reliability
If multiple catheters are placed in the interstitial space for brachytherapy, then radiation can be delivered to the target, but the procedure is costly, cumbersome, and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic electrode integrates multiple functions into a single device: it serves as the radiation source holder, the delivery mechanism, and the treatment applicator. By replacing multiple separate catheters with one multi-functional electrode, the invention simplifies the brachytherapy procedure while maintaining effective delivery of therapeutic energy to the target tissue margin.
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
This approach provides a more efficient, less costly, and less damaging method for treating tissue margins, minimizing side effects and ensuring effective ablation of malignant cells while reducing systemic toxicity and treatment duration.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the hydrophilic electrode to an electrically conductive liquid, whereby the hydrophilic electrode absorbs the electrically conductive liquid
Implementation Method 2
The electrode is composed of an expandable, hydrophilic material and is configured to expand upon contact with the electrically conductive liquid
Implementation Method 3
conveying electrical energy, e.g., radio frequency (RF) energy, from the ablation probe to the hydrophilic electrode, thereby treating the tissue region
Implementation Method 4
the absorbed electrically conductive liquid provides an electrically conductive path through the hydrophilic electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, medical probe kits, and systems are provided for treating a tissue region within a patient, e.g., a margin of tissue surrounding an interstitial space created by removing abnormal tissue. A delivery cannula is introduced within the patient. A hydrophilic electrode is advanced through the cannula adjacent the tissue region, e.g., within the interstitial cavity. An ablation probe is advanced though the cannula into contact with the hydrophilic electrode, and ablation energy is conveyed from the ablation probe into the tissue region via the hydrophilic electrode.