Neural Ablation Probe With Nested Temperature Sensing Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neural and spinal probes, particularly sEEG depth electrodes, lack temperature sensing capabilities due to their construction, which only allows for recording and stimulating components, limiting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a separate temperature sensing device within the electrode device, allowing for temperature sensing capabilities alongside recording and stimulating functions, with a controller to adjust energy supply based on temperature feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate temperature sensing device is incorporated into the electrode device, then temperature sensing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing device is positioned within the first lumen of the electrode device, with the elongate inner sensing body disposed within the second lumen of the temperature sensing device outer body. This nested configuration allows the temperature sensing device to be contained within the existing electrode device structure, enabling temperature sensing capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing the available lumen space.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensing device is constructed as a separate, modular component with distinct functional elements (elongate outer body, elongate inner sensing body, temperature sensor) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the electrode device. This segmentation allows for specialized optimization of the temperature sensing function without redesigning the entire electrode device, thereby managing complexity through modular design.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature sensing device is made with multiple lumens and sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is disposed on the elongate inner sensing body at a specific location to measure the temperature of the tissue adjacent to the electrode contact. This localized temperature measurement approach provides precise temperature data at the critical interface between the electrode and tissue, improving measurement precision by focusing the sensing capability where it is most needed rather than requiring complex distributed sensing throughout the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate inner sensing body acts as an intermediary element that transmits thermal information from the tissue interface to the temperature sensor. This intermediary structure allows the temperature sensor to indirectly measure the tissue temperature through thermal conduction, improving measurement precision by using a dedicated thermal pathway that isolates the sensing function from the electrical recording function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode device structure is modified to include a lumen for the temperature sensing device, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first lumen in the electrode device is designed to accommodate the temperature sensing device, enabling the electrode device to perform both its original electrical recording/stimulation functions and the new temperature sensing function. This multi-functionality approach allows a single device platform to serve multiple purposes, improving adaptability by integrating temperature sensing capability into the existing electrode device architecture rather than requiring a completely new device design.
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
Enables real-time temperature monitoring and energy adjustment during ablation procedures, enhancing the functionality and precision of neural and spinal probes.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor disposed on the elongate inner sensing body
Implementation Method 2
the controller is configured to receive temperature information from the temperature sensing device and use the temperature information to adjust energy supply to at least one of the at least two electrode contacts
Implementation Method 3
Neural ablation probe and temperature sensing device and related systems and methods
Data Source
AI summary
A system having an electrode probe and a temperature sensing device, wherein the temperature sensing device is positionable within the electrode probe. The probe can have an elongate electrode body, at least two electrode contacts disposed on the electrode body, and a lumen defined within the electrode body, and the temperature sensing device can have an elongate outer body having a lumen, an elongate inner sensing body disposed within the lumen, and at least one temperature sensor disposed on the elongate inner sensing body. The system in certain embodiments can also have a controller configured to receive temperature information from the temperature sensing device and use the temperature information to adjust energy supply to at least one of the at least two electrode contacts.