Multi-Resonant Microwave Antenna for Uniform Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical ablation techniques face inefficiencies due to non-uniform heat dissipation and irregular tissue shapes, which can lead to incomplete ablation and damage to surrounding tissues.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical ablation apparatus that uses electromagnetic radiation with multiple frequencies to optimize heating and ablation processes, allowing for tailored frequency selection based on tissue properties and shape, enabling efficient ablation of non-spherical or irregularly shaped tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single frequency of electromagnetic radiation is used for ablation, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the heating uniformity of irregularly shaped tissue is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing electromagnetic radiation at multiple frequencies (e.g., 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz) instead of a single frequency. Different frequencies penetrate tissue to different depths and are absorbed at different rates, allowing the system to achieve more uniform heating throughout irregularly shaped tissue volumes by adjusting frequency parameters during the ablation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically switching between different frequencies and adjusting power levels during the ablation process. The system adapts the radiation parameters in real-time based on tissue properties and shape, enabling flexible control over heating patterns to achieve uniform temperature distribution in complex geometries.
2Productivity
If high power is used to ablate irregular tissue shapes, then the ablation speed is fast, but the damage to surrounding healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different frequencies targeted at different regions of the tissue. Higher frequencies with shallower penetration are used for superficial regions, while lower frequencies with deeper penetration are used for deeper tissue regions. This localized frequency assignment allows rapid ablation of the entire irregular volume while limiting heat spread to surrounding healthy tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ablation process by dividing the irregular tissue volume into multiple zones that are treated with different frequency combinations. This segmentation allows each region to be ablated at optimal power levels, achieving fast overall ablation while protecting surrounding tissues from excessive thermal damage.
3Reliability
If multiple frequencies are used to improve heating uniformity, then the ablation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single multi-frequency antenna system that can operate at multiple frequencies (e.g., 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz) using the same physical structure. The antenna is designed to be resonant at multiple frequencies, eliminating the need for separate antennas for each frequency and thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve uniform heating through multi-frequency operation.
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 approach enhances the efficiency of the ablation process by providing additional control over tissue heating, allowing for parallel ablation of multiple tissue volumes with different sizes and properties, and compensating for varying heat dissipation, thereby improving the uniformity and effectiveness of tissue ablation.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic radiation can effectively heat a tissue especially in at least one of two ways, namely by inducing an electric current in the tissue (if it is electrically conductive)
Implementation Method 2
or by inducing a rotation of the dipoles present in water molecules in the tissue (dielectric heating), wherein the rotation of the dipoles changes with changes in the electromagnetic radiation so that due to internal friction in the tissue cells, each dipole becomes a heating source
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical ablation apparatus for generating and emitting electromagnetic radiation energy for ablating biological tissue is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an operating unit (1), a handheld applicator unit (3) with an applicator antenna (4) and a cable connection (2) between both. The applicator antenna (4) is a dual or multi-resonant ablation antenna (41a, . . . 41d) for transmitting microwave ablation energy at at least two different frequencies which are selected especially according to the electrical properties and dimensions of the tissue to be ablated.