Linear Antenna Array for Microwave Tissue Ablation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices for delivering microwave energy to tissue have limitations such as producing small lesions due to power and treatment time constraints, requiring large feedlines that are difficult to insert percutaneously, and being limited to single antennas which restricts simultaneous treatment of multiple areas.

Innovation Solution

The development of systems and devices that utilize a linear array of antenna components with optimized energy delivery characteristics, allowing for controlled energy delivery along the length of a catheter to precisely sculpt an ablation zone, and employing multiple antennas to treat larger tissue regions simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If larger diameter feedlines are used to deliver microwave energy, then power carrying capacity is improved, but ease of percutaneous insertion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower carrying capacityVSAvoidease of percutaneous insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is divided into multiple discrete elements (e.g., 3-7 elements) along the feedline, with each element capable of independent or selective activation. This segmentation allows the system to deliver high power through multiple smaller apertures rather than requiring a single large feedline, thereby maintaining adequate power delivery while improving percutaneous insertability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If single antenna configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to treat multiple areas simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to treat multiple areas simultaneouslyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is divided into multiple discrete elements (e.g., 3-7 elements) along the feedline, with each element capable of independent or selective activation. This segmentation allows the system to deliver high power through multiple smaller apertures rather than requiring a single large feedline, thereby maintaining adequate power delivery while improving percutaneous insertability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamic control capabilities that allow selective activation of different antenna elements based on treatment requirements. The controller can activate individual elements, groups of elements, or all elements simultaneously, enabling flexible adaptation to various treatment scenarios without requiring physically large invasive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If higher power is delivered to achieve larger lesions, then productivity is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to feedline heating and tissue burning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion sizeVSAvoidtissue burning

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is divided into multiple discrete elements (e.g., 3-7 elements) along the feedline, with each element capable of independent or selective activation. This segmentation allows the system to deliver high power through multiple smaller apertures rather than requiring a single large feedline, thereby maintaining adequate power delivery while improving percutaneous insertability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables localized energy delivery by selectively activating specific antenna elements based on the treatment target. This allows concentrated power delivery to the desired tissue region while minimizing energy deposition in surrounding areas, thereby reducing unwanted thermal effects and tissue burning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enables the delivery of microwave energy to larger and deeper tissue regions with greater precision and control, overcoming the limitations of current devices by allowing for broader and deeper energy delivery, reducing tissue burning, and enabling multiple-antenna formats without large invasive components.

Implementation Method 1

delivery of microwave energy through a linear array of antenna components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave energy: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

microwave energy as an ablation energy source... heating of the feedline at high powers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12285207B2Energy delivery systems and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 NEUWAVE MEDICAL INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to systems and devices 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, the present invention relates to systems and devices for the delivery of energy with a linear array of antenna components having optimized energy delivery characteristics. In certain embodiments, methods are provided for treating a tissue region (e.g., a tumor) through application of energy with the systems and devices of the present invention.