Microwave Field-Detecting Needle Assemblies for Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue ablation procedures face challenges in precisely controlling microwave energy distribution to effectively target malignant cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, due to the narrow temperature margin between tumor cell denaturation and healthy cell injury, and difficulties in determining proper probe insertion depth and avoiding unintended radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
The use of microwave field-detecting needle assemblies with rectifier elements to detect microwave field intensity, allowing for adjustment of the ablation field by transmitting electrical signals to an energy source, enabling precise control over energy delivery and probe positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microwave energy is applied to heat tissue for ablation, then tumor cells are destroyed, but healthy cells may be damaged due to narrow temperature margin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs temperature sensors that continuously monitor tissue temperature during microwave ablation and feed this information back to the control system. The control system adjusts microwave power delivery in real-time based on temperature feedback, ensuring tumor cells reach denaturation temperature while preventing healthy cells from exceeding safe temperature thresholds. This closed-loop control resolves the contradiction by dynamically balancing effective tumor destruction with healthy tissue protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes multiple independently controllable microwave antennas that can deliver energy to different spatial zones with different power levels. By creating localized high-power zones targeted at tumor tissue while maintaining low-power zones adjacent to healthy structures, the system achieves selective heating. This spatial differentiation of energy delivery resolves the contradiction by concentrating thermal damage precisely where needed while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.
2Ease of operation
If microwave ablation probe is inserted into tissue, then ablation can be performed, but it is difficult to determine proper insertion depth and avoid unintended radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical depth measurement methods (such as physical markers or visual estimation) with electromagnetic field-based detection. Temperature sensors and microwave field detectors embedded in or near the probe provide real-time data about the probe's position relative to tissue interfaces and the ablation zone. This substitution of mechanical measurement with electromagnetic sensing resolves the contradiction by enabling precise, real-time depth determination without adding mechanical complexity to the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature sensors and field detectors as intermediary elements between the probe and the tissue being treated. These intermediaries provide indirect measurement of probe position and tissue conditions by sensing thermal and electromagnetic fields. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by enabling accurate depth determination and safety monitoring without requiring direct mechanical measurement or visual confirmation during insertion.
3Productivity
If high power microwave energy is delivered for short periods to achieve cutting and coagulation, then surgical effects are achieved, but precise temperature control is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsed microwave delivery with periodic interruption, where energy is delivered in controlled bursts followed by measurement intervals. During the 'on' periods, high power is delivered to achieve rapid heating and surgical effects. During the 'off' periods, temperature sensors measure actual tissue temperature, and the control system adjusts subsequent pulse parameters. This periodic cycle of energy delivery and measurement resolves the contradiction by maintaining high productivity through rapid heating while achieving precise temperature control through intermittent feedback-adjusted pulsing.
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 solution enhances the precision of microwave ablation by allowing real-time adjustment of energy distribution, ensuring effective tumor treatment while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue and ensuring safe probe placement.
Implementation Method 1
Each microwave field-detecting needle assembly includes one or more rectifier elements capable of detecting microwave field intensity via rectification
Implementation Method 2
transmitting energy from an energy source through the energy applicator to generate an ablation field radiating about at least a portion of the energy applicator into tissue
Implementation Method 3
electromagnetic energy is passed through the probes into surrounding tissue... applying electromagnetic radiation to heat, ablate and/or coagulate tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A method of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue includes the initial steps of providing an energy applicator and providing one or more microwave field-detecting needle assemblies. Each microwave field-detecting needle assembly includes one or more rectifier elements capable of detecting microwave field intensity via rectification. The method includes the steps of positioning the energy applicator and the one or more microwave field-detecting needle assemblies in tissue, transmitting energy from an energy source through the energy applicator to generate an ablation field radiating about at least a portion of the energy applicator into tissue, and adjusting the ablation field radiating about at least the portion of the energy applicator into tissue based on at least one electrical signal transmitted by the one or more microwave field-detecting needle assemblies.