Prism-Tipped Laser Fiber for Bladder Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for overactive bladder, such as Botox injections, target the entire bladder and do not specifically address local anatomical abnormalities, leading to incomplete treatment and potential urinary retention, while existing tissue ablation devices are limited by the diameter of the laser fiber, restricting the area that can be treated.
Innovation Solution
A medical device featuring a needle with a moveable laser fiber and a prism at the distal end that changes the direction of laser energy, allowing for the ablation of a larger tissue area without increasing the diameter of the laser fiber, while minimizing damage to the bladder mucosa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a larger area of tissue is treated by increasing the laser fiber diameter, then the treated area expands, but the trauma to the bladder mucosa increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the laser energy delivery from a single-point axial application to a multi-directional treatment by incorporating a reflector that redirects laser energy laterally. This dimensional change allows the laser to treat a broader tissue area without requiring a larger fiber diameter, thereby expanding the effective treatment zone while maintaining a small insertion profile that minimizes mucosal trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector acts as an intermediary component that receives laser energy from the fiber and redistributes it to the surrounding tissue. This mediator enables the laser energy to reach a larger treatment area indirectly, avoiding the need to increase the fiber diameter which would cause greater direct trauma to the mucosa during insertion and positioning.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If current ablation devices use a small laser fiber diameter, then mucosa damage is minimized, but the treated area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a reflector that redirects laser energy at angles perpendicular to the fiber axis, the patent expands the treatment area laterally without increasing the fiber diameter. This dimensional redirection of energy allows a single small-diameter fiber to treat a broader tissue volume, effectively decoupling the fiber size from the treatment zone size.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment process is segmented into multiple directional applications of laser energy. Instead of relying on a single large-diameter fiber, the system uses a small fiber combined with a reflector to deliver energy in multiple directions (axial and lateral), effectively segmenting the treatment zones to achieve comprehensive coverage with minimal invasive insertion.
3Area of stationary object
If Botox injections are administered to treat the entire bladder, then coverage is comprehensive, but local anatomical abnormalities are not specifically addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables localized treatment by allowing precise positioning of the laser fiber and reflector assembly to target specific regions of the bladder wall. The system can deliver concentrated laser energy to discrete focal points or linear segments, treating only the areas with anatomical abnormalities while leaving healthy tissue untouched, thereby achieving both local precision and the ability to cover comprehensive areas through multiple targeted applications.
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 effective ablation of target tissue in the bladder, expanding the treated area beyond the laser fiber diameter, thus providing a more comprehensive treatment for overactive bladder and other conditions with minimal mucosa damage.
Implementation Method 1
a tip portion at a distal end of the laser fiber may be configured to change a direction of travel for laser energy emitted by laser fiber
Implementation Method 2
Ablation is currently used in a variety of treatments to remove biological tissue via heating
Implementation Method 3
Ablation is currently used in a variety of treatments to remove biological tissue via heating
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for ablating tissue. The method may comprise, for example, aligning a needle of a medical device with the target tissue; piercing tissue adjacent to the target tissue with the needle; sliding into the target tissue a laser fiber moveably disposed within the needle, wherein the needle is hollow and the laser fiber includes a prism; and delivering laser energy through the laser fiber and prism.