Movable Electrode Ablation Device for Lung Nodule Coagulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical methods for treating lung nodules, lesions, and tumors face challenges such as excessive bleeding, infection risk, air leaks, and difficulty in accessing deep lung regions, with ambiguous placement algorithms leading to inefficient coagulation due to high tissue impedance and susceptibility to electrode shape and orientation.
Innovation Solution
A medical device featuring a needle with a movable electrode and anchoring features that pierce and latch onto tissue, allowing for consistent and reproducible coagulation by extending beyond the needle's distal end and utilizing a shape memory alloy wire, along with echogenic features for visualization, to deliver energy and create a larger coagulation volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electrode is placed in one location for coagulation, then the procedure is simple, but the coagulation volume is limited and efficiency decreases due to high tissue impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with different segments activated at different positions. This allows the electrode to treat multiple locations sequentially or simultaneously, increasing coagulation volume while maintaining a simple single-electrode device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is designed to be movable within the needle, allowing dynamic repositioning to different locations. This dynamic capability enables the electrode to access multiple treatment sites without requiring multiple separate electrodes or complex placement algorithms.
2Productivity
If the electrode is moved to different locations to improve coagulation volume, then the treatment coverage increases, but the placement algorithm becomes ambiguous and results are inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical placement algorithms with a controlled mechanical system where the electrode's position is precisely managed through its movement within the needle. The needle itself serves as a guide, providing consistent anatomical landmarks for electrode positioning, thereby improving reproducibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of electrode position in a controlled manner, moving the electrode to specific predetermined locations along the needle's path. This systematic parameter change ensures consistent spacing and positioning, improving coagulation reproducibility while achieving adequate treatment volume.
3Productivity
If high-frequency electromagnetic energy is applied to increase coagulation volume, then the treatment effectiveness improves, but tissue impedance increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the electrode and treating tissue in sequential sections rather than attempting to coagulate a large volume all at once, the system maintains lower tissue impedance throughout the procedure. This分段 treatment approach improves energy efficiency while achieving the same overall coagulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by treating the tissue in sequential sections along the needle path rather than attempting excessive action of coagulating the entire target volume simultaneously. This approach maintains energy efficiency by avoiding the impedance buildup that would occur with high-power simultaneous multi-point coagulation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode shape and orientation are varied to improve coagulation, then the treatment adaptability increases, but the system becomes more complex and difficult to standardize
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of varying electrode shape and orientation, the patent uses a simple linear electrode that achieves adaptability through dynamic repositioning along the needle. This single-degree-of-freedom movement provides sufficient versatility to treat different tissue geometries without complicating the electrode design.
Solution Approach 2:
The simple linear electrode design serves multiple functions by being repositioned to different locations along the needle path. This universal electrode configuration can treat various tissue types and geometries through positional variation alone, eliminating the need for specialized electrode shapes or orientations for different applications.
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 achieves a more consistent and reproducible coagulation volume by reducing tissue impedance and addressing issues of over-penetration, while ensuring efficient energy delivery and visualization during the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
The first electrode is energized to ablate a predetermined portion of tissue with the first electrode
Implementation Method 2
The first electrode is energized to ablate a predetermined portion of tissue in a patient
Implementation Method 3
the wire is made of a shape memory alloy; the shape memory alloy is nitinol
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical device includes a needle with an interior surface defining a lumen and a first electrode positioned within the lumen of the needle in a first position. The first electrode is movable within the needle between the first position and a plurality of other positions. The first electrode extends beyond a distal end of the needle in the plurality of other positions and includes one or more anchors that pierce into a predetermined portion of tissue in an anatomy of a patient. The first electrode is energized to ablate the predetermined portion of tissue with the first electrode.