Miniature Inductive Heating Device for Laparoscopic Tumor Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current miniature induction heating devices for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia (MFH) applications are limited in design and size, leading to potential side effects due to their larger size, which affects both the tumor and surrounding healthy tissues, and there is a need for a more efficient and minimally invasive solution for treating deep-seated tumors.
Innovation Solution
A miniature induction heating device with a multilayer pancake coil, thermal sensors, and a cooling system, designed to generate a strong alternating magnetic field for heating electrically conductive materials within a body cavity, featuring a compact design with a polymeric body, thermistors for temperature monitoring, and a chilled water cooling system to maintain the coil temperature and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the size of the induction heating device is reduced to minimize treatment area, then the side effects on surrounding healthy tissues are decreased, but the device complexity increases due to space constraints for integrating cooling systems and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the cooling agent inlet port, outlet port, and thermal sensors within the elongated body structure. The multilayer pancake coil is positioned inside the elongated body, with thermal sensors nested within the coil structure. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to coexist in a compact configuration, reducing the overall device size while maintaining all necessary functions for targeted heating with minimal side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional coil configuration to a multilayer pancake coil geometry, changing the spatial dimensionality of the heating element. This dimensional change allows the magnetic field to be concentrated in a specific direction (perpendicular to the pancake coil plane), enabling precise targeting of the tumor while reducing the device's footprint and allowing integration of additional components in the available space.
2Reliability
If a cooling system is added to maintain coil temperature, then the reliability of the device is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic cooling system by circulating a cooling agent through the elongated body to remove heat from the multilayer pancake coil. The cooling agent inlet port and outlet port are positioned at the proximal end, allowing continuous flow of cooling fluid through channels within the device structure. This hydraulic approach provides reliable thermal management for the high-power induction heating coil, preventing overheating and ensuring stable operation during tumor treatment.
3Measurement precision
If thermal sensors are integrated into the coil structure, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal sensing function with the heating coil structure by positioning thermal sensors within the multilayer pancake coil assembly. The first thermal sensor is placed inside the coil and the second thermal sensor is positioned at the output of the cooling agent tube, creating an integrated temperature monitoring system. This merging of heating and sensing functions into a single integrated assembly enables precise temperature control for safe and effective tumor hyperthermia treatment.
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
The device effectively generates a magnetic field intensity of up to 30 kA/m, allowing for precise heating of tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues, and is suitable for laparoscopic surgeries and other medical applications, providing a minimally invasive treatment option for deep-seated tumors.
Implementation Method 1
A miniature induction heating device with a multilayer pancake coil, thermal sensors, and a cooling system, designed to generate a strong alternating magnetic field for heating electrically conductive materials
Implementation Method 2
heating electrically conductive materials (magnetic nanoparticles, medical devices, etc.) inside a body cavity
Implementation Method 3
heating electrically conductive materials
Implementation Method 4
a cooling agent is contained inside the elongated body and is in contact with the multilayer pancake coil
Data Source
AI summary
An induction heating coil is positioned inside a tube-like instrument having dimensions similar to current laparoscopic instruments. Magnetic field intensities of up to 15 kA/m at a frequency of 289 kHz are achieved while the instrument is operated at safe temperatures. A cooling agent system maintains a desired temperature inside the instrument and temperatures sensors monitor the temperature of the cooling agent as well as the temperature of the induction heating coil to safely operate the instrument within operating temperatures.