Multichannel Ablation via Frequency Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio-frequency ablation technologies using multiple electrodes often struggle to precisely control and adjust power delivery to achieve optimal tissue ablation, as they lack the ability to differentiate and adjust power dissipation effectively across electrodes based on varying tissue impedance.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an energy generator that supplies ablation power modulated at different frequencies to multiple electrodes, allowing for simultaneous unipolar and bipolar modes of operation, with power measuring units and controllers to monitor and adjust power dissipation based on tissue impedance, enabling precise control of ablation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are used for ablation, then the ability to treat different tissue areas is improved, but the difficulty of controlling and adjusting power delivery to each electrode increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modulating the radio frequency power delivered to each electrode at a distinct modulation frequency. This allows the control system to differentiate between multiple electrodes and independently adjust power delivery to each one, resolving the complexity of controlling multiple electrodes while maintaining the versatility to treat different tissue areas.
2Area of stationary object
If power is delivered to multiple electrodes simultaneously, then ablation coverage is improved, but the precision of power dissipation control decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses distinct modulation frequencies for each electrode's power delivery, enabling the control system to precisely measure and control the power dissipated by each electrode independently. This frequency differentiation allows simultaneous multi-electrode operation with precise individual control, overcoming the loss of precision that would normally occur with simultaneous power delivery to multiple electrodes.
3Reliability
If tissue impedance variations are present, then ablation effectiveness varies across electrodes, but the ability to assess and validate ablation depth uniformly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the distinct modulation frequencies to monitor the actual power dissipated by each electrode in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to account for tissue impedance variations at each electrode location and adjust power delivery accordingly, enabling uniform assessment and validation of ablation depth across all electrodes despite varying tissue conditions.
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 allows for more precise and controlled tissue ablation by distinguishing and adjusting power delivery to each electrode, improving the assessment and validation of ablation depth based on tissue impedance variations.
Implementation Method 1
The energy generator includes: a power source configured to supply the first and second ablation powers at a base radio frequency; and first and second modulators, which are coupled to receive and to modulate the first and second ablation powers at the first and second frequencies, respectively. In a disclosed embodiment the modulation consists of phase modulation.
Implementation Method 2
a probe, having at least one electrode coupled to receive the first and second ablation powers simultaneously and to dissipate the first and second ablation powers in body tissue in contact with the at least one electrode
Implementation Method 3
radio-frequency ablation of tissue using differing frequencies
Implementation Method 4
the first power measuring unit includes first and second demodulators coupled to respectively receive signals at the base radio frequency and at the first frequency, and the second power measuring unit includes third and fourth demodulators coupled to respectively receive signals at the base radio frequency and at the second frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus, including an energy generator, configured to supply first ablation power modulated at a first frequency and second ablation power modulated at a second frequency different from the first frequency. The apparatus also includes a probe, having at least one electrode coupled to receive the first and second ablation powers simultaneously and to dissipate the first and second ablation powers in body tissue in contact with the at least one electrode.