Plasma Ablation Probe via Liquid Electrode Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio frequency ablation techniques face challenges in controlling the depth of tissue ablation and minimizing collateral damage, especially in sensitive areas like the heart or spinal cord, due to unpredictable heat penetration from high currents and low voltages.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using an electrosurgical system with a non-conductive ceramic probe and a remote conductive liquid media electrode, where high frequency voltage is applied to create a focused plasma for tissue ablation, restricting fluid flow to control plasma ignition and minimize resistive heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high currents and low voltages are used for radio frequency ablation, then tissue ablation is achieved through resistive heating, but the heat penetration depth becomes unpredictable and causes collateral damage to critical tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters from conventional high current/low voltage to low current/high voltage operation. This fundamental parameter change allows plasma formation at the electrode-tissue interface, which provides controlled ablation with minimal heat penetration into surrounding tissues, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving adequate ablation power and avoiding collateral damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the conductive fluid from liquid to plasma state. By applying high voltage to create plasma at the electrode-tissue interface, the system achieves precise ablation control. The plasma phase allows energy deposition without the uncontrolled heat diffusion that occurs with conventional resistive heating, thus resolving the contradiction between effective ablation and minimizing thermal damage to adjacent tissues
2Manufacturing precision
If high voltage is applied to create focused plasma, then precise tissue ablation is achieved with minimal collateral damage, but the system complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conductive fluid as an intermediary medium between the electrode and the tissue. This fluid serves multiple functions: it enables plasma formation when high voltage is applied, it provides a controlled path for energy transfer, and it can be delivered through simple catheter-based systems. This intermediary approach allows precise plasma-mediated ablation while avoiding the need for complex direct high-voltage electrode-tissue contact systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/thermal ablation mechanisms with plasma-based ablation. Instead of relying on mechanical contact and thermal diffusion, the system uses electrical field-induced plasma formation to achieve precise tissue ablation. This substitution enables better control and precision while the fluid delivery system remains relatively simple, thus resolving the contradiction between ablation precision and system complexity
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 precise tissue ablation with minimal collateral damage by controlling the plasma ignition threshold, reducing unwanted heat penetration and tissue damage in sensitive areas.
Implementation Method 1
applying high frequency voltage to the liquid electrode flow wherein the increased resistance of the media flow causes instantaneous ignition of a plasma within the flow restriction channel for ablation of tissue
Implementation Method 2
the increased resistance of the media flow causes instantaneous ignition of a plasma
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of electrosurgery, and more particularly to a system that produces a focused plasma for tissue ablation. The system includes a probe and a remote source of a conductive liquid media for providing a flow through the probe that functions as an electrode. A pressurized flow of the liquid media passes through a first larger diameter flow channel in the probe to then increases in velocity as it passes through a smaller diameter flow restriction channel in a working end surface. The flow restriction of the liquid electrode through the flow restriction channel when coupled with high frequency voltage causes instantaneous ignition of a plasma within media flow media within the flow restriction channel. The working end surface thus carries a plasma that when proximate to tissue will cause a controlled, focused ablation.