Phased Antenna Array for Precise Ablation Field Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical devices face challenges in precisely controlling the ablation field and ensuring that malignant tissue is targeted while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, due to the small temperature difference required for denaturing malignant cells and the variability in tissue characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A medical device equipped with a phased antenna array and an ultrasound transducer array that allows for real-time adjustment of the electromagnetic energy delivery pattern, enabling precise control of the ablation field through user interface and ultrasound imaging feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic energy is applied to heat and ablate tumor cells, then malignant tissue destruction is achieved, but precise control of ablation field and temperature distribution becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ablation field control into multiple independently controllable antenna elements. Each antenna element can be individually adjusted to shape and steer the electromagnetic energy distribution, allowing precise targeting of malignant tissue while avoiding healthy tissue. This segmentation enables fine-grained control of the ablation field that was not achievable with single-antenna systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the ablation field through real-time adjustment of phase and amplitude parameters for each antenna element. The system can adaptively modify the electromagnetic energy distribution during the ablation process based on feedback from temperature sensors and imaging systems, enabling precise temperature control and ablation field shaping that responds to changing tissue conditions.
2Productivity
If high energy bursts are delivered for short periods to achieve cutting and coagulation, then surgical effects are achieved, but precise temperature control to minimize damage to healthy tissue becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed energy delivery through multiple antenna elements rather than continuous high-power delivery. By delivering energy in controlled pulses with adjustable duty cycles and intervals, the system achieves surgical effects while allowing thermal diffusion to protect surrounding healthy tissue. The periodic action enables cumulative heating of target tissue while limiting peak temperatures in adjacent healthy areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different energy levels and delivery patterns to different spatial locations using the phased antenna array. High energy is concentrated on malignant tissue targets while lower energy or no energy is delivered to surrounding healthy tissue regions. This local differentiation of energy quality and intensity achieves surgical effects on tumors while minimizing collateral damage to healthy structures.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple probes are used to create large ablation zones, then treatment coverage is improved, but complexity of probe placement and energy coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements into a single integrated phased array structure that functions as one coordinated system. Rather than requiring separate physical probes to be placed in tissue, the merged array provides large ablation zone coverage through electronic beam forming and phasing. This integration simplifies placement (single device insertion) while maintaining the capability to create extensive ablation volumes through coordinated energy delivery from multiple array elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The phased antenna array provides multiple functions within a single device: it can create focused ablation zones, steer energy beams to different locations, adjust treatment depth, and adapt to various tumor geometries. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized probes and complex coordination systems, achieving large and flexible ablation coverage through a single versatile platform.
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 precise and controlled ablation of targeted tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue by allowing real-time visualization and adjustment of the energy delivery, improving the predictability of temperature distribution and surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
Electromagnetic radiation can be used to heat and destroy tumor cells. Microwave energy is sometimes utilized to perform these methods.
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound transducer array disposed within the housing. The ultrasound transducer array is configured to acquire data representative of the tissue region during energy delivery into the tissue region by the phased antenna array.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue includes the initial step of providing a handheld device including a phased antenna array and an ultrasound transducer array. The method includes the steps of positioning a tissue-contact surface of the handheld device adjacent to tissue, activating the phased antenna array to deliver energy through the tissue-contact surface to generate an ablation field in targeted tissue, activating the ultrasound transducer array to acquire ultrasound image data representative of the targeted tissue during energy delivery into the targeted tissue by the phased antenna array, and selectively steering the focal point of energy delivery in tissue to adjust the ablation field radiating into tissue.