Microwave Energy Delivery Feedlines With Cooling Channels for Larger Lesions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave energy delivery devices for tissue ablation have limitations such as producing small lesions due to power and treatment time constraints, requiring large feedlines that are difficult to insert percutaneously, and causing tissue burning due to feedline heating.
Innovation Solution
The development of comprehensive systems and devices that employ optimized energy delivery devices with improved cooling characteristics, such as coolant passage channels and adjustable characteristic impedance, to prevent overheating and enhance energy deposition in tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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 and procedural complication rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feedline is divided into multiple smaller diameter segments or channels that can be inserted percutaneously, while collectively providing the necessary power carrying capacity through parallel energy delivery pathways
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple feedlines or energy delivery channels are nested within a single insertion site or delivery catheter, allowing larger total power capacity to be delivered through a small percutaneous opening by stacking multiple smaller conduits
2Power
If higher power microwave energy is delivered to tissue, then thermal lesion size is improved, but feedline heating and tissue burning increase
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling intermediary substance or mechanism is introduced between the feedline and surrounding tissue to absorb excess heat and prevent burning, acting as a thermal buffer that allows higher power delivery without damaging side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal parameters of the system are dynamically adjusted by introducing cooling agents or varying cooling flow rates to maintain optimal temperature differentials, allowing high power delivery while preventing tissue burning through real-time parameter control
3Device complexity
If microwave energy is delivered without cooling mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but feedline heating and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic or pneumatic cooling system is integrated into the feedline structure, using fluid flow through internal channels to remove heat efficiently, adding minimal structural complexity while dramatically reducing energy loss through active thermal management
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
These systems enable more effective delivery of microwave energy with reduced tissue damage, allowing for larger thermal lesions and improved procedural efficiency while maintaining a minimally invasive approach.
Implementation Method 1
coolant passage channels
Implementation Method 2
coolant passage channels
Implementation Method 3
Microwave energy is an effective energy source for heating biological tissues
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods 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 certain embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided for treating a tissue region (e.g., a tumor) through application of energy.