Non-thermal Tissue Ablation via Direct Current Electrolysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) often involve thermal methods that can cause side effects and damage adjacent tissues, and there is a need for a minimally invasive, non-thermal ablation technique that effectively reduces prostate tissue without significant heat generation.
Innovation Solution
A non-implantable system using direct current ablation with a catheter and electrodes that deliver a charge to create a necrotic zone, imparting extreme pH to treat BPH and other tissues, minimizing thermal damage and side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal ablation methods are used to treat BPH, then tissue destruction is effective, but adjacent tissues are damaged and side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of ablation from thermal to non-thermal by applying direct current electrical fields. This creates necrotic zones through electrochemical effects rather than heat, allowing effective tissue destruction while preserving adjacent tissues from thermal damage. The direct current induces pH changes and gas formation that selectively affect target tissue without the collateral thermal damage of conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal/heat-based ablation mechanism with an electrical field-based mechanism. Instead of using thermal energy to destroy tissue, the system uses direct current electrical fields to create necrotic zones through electrochemical reactions, gas formation, and pH changes. This substitution eliminates the harmful thermal effects on adjacent tissues while maintaining effective tissue destruction.
2Productivity
If conventional ablation techniques are used, then tissue removal is achieved, but scarring and long healing times occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ablation mechanism from thermal to electrochemical by applying direct current. This creates necrotic zones through pH changes and gas formation rather than heat, resulting in cleaner tissue destruction without the scarring associated with thermal methods. The body can more readily absorb and clear the necrotic tissue, reducing healing time and improving productivity.
3Productivity
If high power is applied to achieve rapid ablation, then treatment time is reduced, but thermal damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal ablation mechanism with an electrical field-based mechanism using direct current. This allows for controlled tissue destruction through electrochemical effects and gas formation without generating significant heat. The system achieves effective ablation speed while maintaining low temperatures, eliminating the trade-off between productivity and thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy delivery parameter from thermal power to electrical current. By applying direct current at controlled amperage and duration, the system creates necrotic zones through electrochemical reactions rather than heat generation. This parameter change enables rapid tissue ablation without the thermal damage that would result from using high power thermal methods.
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 system provides effective tissue ablation with minimal heat generation, reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes for BPH by creating a predictable necrotic zone without scarring or long healing times.
Implementation Method 1
The active area of at least one electrode delivers a charge to impart a high pH or a low pH such that a necrotic zone is created
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.