Microwave Ablation Antenna with Non-Conductive Introducer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microwave ablation for treating tumors is often hindered by the difficulty in navigating ablation antennas to subcutaneously located tumors surrounded by critical tissue structures, necessitating invasive procedures due to limited accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A microwave ablation system comprising an introducer and stylus with a slidable microwave ablation antenna, where the introducer is made from non-conductive materials like Polyether ether ketone and fiberglass, allowing energy radiation throughout, and the stylus can articulate to navigate to the target, with the introducer maintaining a curved configuration for precise targeting and fluid introduction for cooling and therapeutic agent delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ablation antennas are inserted directly into subcutaneous tumors surrounded by critical tissue structures, then treatment can be delivered, but navigation becomes difficult or impossible and open surgery is required
Solution Approach 1:
The microwave ablation antenna is nested within the introducer device, allowing the antenna to be delivered through a guided pathway. The introducer acts as an outer structure that contains and guides the inner antenna component to the target site, enabling percutaneous access without requiring open surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer serves as an intermediary device between the operator and the target tumor. It provides a controlled pathway through the skin and tissue, facilitating safe navigation of the ablation antenna to subcutaneous tumors while avoiding damage to critical surrounding structures.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional conductive introducer materials are used, then structural support is provided, but microwave energy radiation is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer material properties are changed from conductive to non-conductive (dielectric). This parameter change allows the introducer to transmit microwave energy rather than block it, while the material selection (PEEK, fiberglass) maintains sufficient structural support for the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer is constructed from non-conductive materials such as Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or fiberglass that combine the necessary mechanical strength and structural support properties with the ability to allow microwave energy transmission, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and energy radiation.
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 minimally invasive navigation and treatment of tumors with enhanced precision and versatility, reducing the need for open surgery by allowing the microwave ablation antenna to radiate energy through the introducer and facilitating real-time imaging guidance.
Implementation Method 1
the microwave ablation antenna is configured to deliver energy to a target during an ablation procedure
Implementation Method 2
electromagnetic energy is passed through the antenna into surrounding tissue to treat, e.g., heat, ablate and/or coagulate tissue
Implementation Method 3
electromagnetic energy is passed through the antenna into surrounding tissue to treat, e.g., heat, ablate and/or coagulate tissue
Implementation Method 4
heat, ablate and/or coagulate tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a microwave ablation system including an introducer having a lumen therethrough, a stylus configured for slidable engagement within the lumen of the introducer, and a microwave ablation antenna configured to deliver energy to a target during an ablation procedure, wherein the microwave ablation antenna is configured for slidable engagement within the lumen of the introducer.