Nerve Ablation Probe with Tumescent Fluid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nerve ablation procedures often cause undesirable damage to superficial tissues due to the shallow anatomical location of nerves, leading to scarring and disruption of neighboring nerves and blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
A treatment probe with an elongated body member and a needle portion, including at least one electrode and a fluid port, is used to deliver electrical energy and a tumescent fluid, protecting superficial tissue planes from heat damage during nerve ablation by positioning the electrode away from the fluid port, allowing for targeted nerve ablation while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical energy is applied to ablate a target nerve, then the neuromuscular defect is treated, but superficial tissue planes are damaged by heat
Solution Approach 1:
A tumescent fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the electrode and the superficial tissue planes. The fluid acts as a thermal barrier that absorbs and dissipates heat, preventing direct thermal damage to the superficial tissues while allowing the electrode to effectively ablate the target nerve. The fluid is delivered through a fluid port positioned adjacent to the electrode.
2Reliability
If the electrode is positioned close to the target nerve for effective ablation, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the risk of damaging neighboring nerves and blood vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tumescent fluid serves as a protective intermediary that fills the space between the electrode and neighboring structures. It creates a thermal buffer zone that allows the electrode to be positioned close to the target nerve for effective ablation while preventing heat from directly damaging adjacent nerves and blood vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment approach applies local quality by delivering tumescent fluid specifically to the area surrounding the target nerve, creating a localized protective zone. This allows differentiated treatment where the electrode can effectively ablate the target nerve while the fluid-protected area prevents damage to surrounding structures.
3Device complexity
If conventional nerve ablation is performed without fluid protection, then the procedure is simpler, but scarring and tissue disruption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The tumescent fluid is delivered to the treatment area before electrical energy is applied. This preliminary action of fluid administration creates a protective thermal barrier in advance, preventing heat-induced scarring and tissue disruption during the subsequent ablation procedure. The fluid is introduced through the fluid port prior to electrode activation.
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 method effectively treats neuromuscular defects by interrupting nerve conduction with reduced risk of scarring and disruption of neighboring nerves and blood vessels, providing a less invasive solution for conditions like dystonias and cosmetic issues.
Implementation Method 1
application of electrical energy to a target nerve
Implementation Method 2
superficial tissue planes overlying a target nerve are protected from inadvertent heat damage
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a treatment probe comprising an elongated body member and a needle portion. The elongated body member can have a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The needle portion can be connected to the distal end portion. The needle portion can include at least one electrode and at least one fluid port. The at least one electrode and the at least one fluid port can be configured to deliver electrical energy and a tumescent fluid, respectively, so that superficial tissue planes overlying a target nerve are protected from inadvertent heat damage as a result of application of electrical energy to a target nerve.