Microwave Antenna Wire Orientation for Field Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave antennas used in medical procedures face challenges such as tissue burning, clot formation, and altered microwave field shapes due to additional modalities and conductive wires, compromising safety and performance during cardiac ablations and other minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of a microwave antenna system with an electrode and conductive wire configuration where the wire is oriented non-parallel to the antenna axis, reducing microwave field distortion and maintaining the antenna's safety and performance by minimizing the temperature increase of additional modalities and wires, while allowing for precise energy delivery and mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional modality (mapping electrodes) and conductive wires are added to the microwave antenna, then the functionality and versatility of the antenna is improved, but the microwave field shape is distorted and safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric layer is introduced as an intermediary between the conductive wires and the microwave field. This dielectric layer isolates the wires from direct microwave interaction, preventing them from becoming hot and causing tissue damage, while still allowing the wires to perform their electrical functions. The dielectric acts as a mediator that protects the system from harmful effects while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric layer is applied selectively to specific portions of the conductive wires that are exposed to the microwave field. This localized application provides protection where needed (where microwave interaction occurs) while leaving other areas of the wires exposed for electrical connection and signal transmission. This resolves the contradiction by providing safety where required without compromising the electrical functionality of the mapping electrodes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional modality and conductive wires are added to the microwave antenna, then the functionality is improved, but temperature increase causes tissue burning and charring
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer serves as a thermal barrier between the conductive wires and the surrounding tissue. By isolating the wires from direct microwave exposure, the dielectric prevents heat transfer to the tissue, thereby preventing burning and charring while allowing the wires to conduct electrical signals for mapping functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric layer converts the potentially harmful interaction between microwave energy and conductive wires (which would cause overheating and tissue damage) into a beneficial configuration where the wires can safely perform electrical functions. The dielectric transforms a harmful thermal effect into a protective barrier, allowing the system to achieve both functionality and safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional modality and conductive wires are added to the microwave antenna, then the functionality is improved, but the microwave field shape is altered creating unsafe energy delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer acts as an intermediary that prevents conductive wires from interacting with and distorting the microwave field. By isolating the wires through the dielectric, the original microwave field shape is preserved, ensuring that energy is delivered safely and effectively to the target tissue without creating unwanted hot spots or field distortions.
4Device complexity
If conductive wires are oriented parallel to the antenna axis, then the structure is simple, but microwave field distortion is maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive wires are oriented non-parallel (at angles) relative to the antenna axis, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetric arrangement reduces the interaction between the wires and the microwave field, thereby minimizing field distortion. The asymmetric wire orientation is a deliberate design choice that prioritizes microwave field integrity over structural simplicity.
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 configuration ensures safe and effective microwave energy delivery, preventing tissue damage and maintaining the integrity of the microwave field, thereby enhancing the safety and efficacy of medical procedures like cardiac ablations.
Implementation Method 1
Microwave antennas have been designed to treat various medical conditions by microwave energy delivery
Implementation Method 2
The additional modality and the conductive wires over a microwave antenna may create a microwave antenna that is unsuitable for clinical use. The additional modality and the conductive wires may absorb microwave energy and become hot
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses medical systems and methods adapted for the delivery of various medical components such as microwave antennas within or on a body for performing one or more medical procedures. Several embodiments herein disclose medical systems comprising a combination of one or more medical components and one or more elongate steerable or non-steerable arms that are adapted to mechanically manipulate the one or more medical components. Several embodiments of microwave antennas are disclosed that comprise an additional diagnostic or therapeutic modality located on or in the vicinity of the microwave antennas.