Prostate Heating Catheter with Intra-Tissue Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat treatment devices for tissues, such as those used in treating cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia, face challenges in accurately monitoring tissue temperature, leading to potential damage from excessive heat or inadequate treatment due to misplacement of temperature transducers and limited information on tissue temperature rather than the heating element's temperature.
Innovation Solution
A device that calculates temperature distribution in the prostate based on intra-prostatic measurement points, energy absorption, tissue blood flow, and heat conduction, using multiple temperature transducers and a control unit to continuously monitor and adjust heat application, providing real-time graphical and textual feedback to the physician to ensure precise tissue destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature sensor is arrayed on the heating element to monitor temperature, then the device can continuously monitor temperature during treatment, but the sensor measures the element temperature rather than the tissue temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal coupling medium (gel or liquid) as an intermediary between the heating element and the tissue. This medium facilitates direct thermal contact, allowing the temperature sensor to accurately measure the tissue temperature through the coupling medium rather than measuring the element temperature directly. The coupling medium bridges the gap between the heating element and tissue, enabling precise temperature monitoring of the actual treatment target.
2Ease of operation
If the treatment area and duration are fixed, then the treatment process is simple to operate, but the treatment cannot be adjusted to different patient conditions and tissue volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic treatment parameters that can be adjusted during the treatment process. The treatment duration and power levels are not fixed but can be modified based on real-time temperature feedback from sensors and the specific patient conditions. This allows the treatment to adapt to different tissue volumes, patient responses, and treatment progress, combining operational simplicity with clinical flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous temperature monitoring feedback that allows the treatment parameters to be adjusted based on actual tissue temperature measurements. This feedback mechanism enables the physician to adapt the treatment duration and power levels to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while avoiding overheating, making the treatment versatile for different patient conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If the temperature transducer carrier is extended through the catheter opening at an angle, then the transducers can be positioned in the tissue at the desired angle, but the positioning of the temperature transducer carrier is problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a preliminary positioning action where the carrier is first inserted through the catheter opening in a controlled manner before being extended at the desired angle. The mechanical guide pre-positions the carrier correctly as it exits the catheter, and then the carrier is gently extended into the tissue at the predetermined angle. This preliminary positioning step ensures accurate transducer placement while simplifying the overall insertion process by separating the insertion and positioning actions.
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 solution allows for precise control of heat application, reducing tissue damage by ensuring accurate temperature monitoring and distribution, enabling the physician to adjust the treatment area and duration effectively, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The device encompasses a catheter contained in a microwave antenna that is embodied to emit radio energy to the tissue surrounding the antenna
Implementation Method 2
The heating should occur within certain temperature ranges for the best result of the treatment
Implementation Method 3
The catheter is also provided with a cooling channel for cooling the tissue that is located closest to the catheter
Implementation Method 4
In the catheter a temperature transducer is located for reading the temperature of the catheter
Implementation Method 5
The liquid is then heated either by supplying warm liquid through a circulating system or by supplying energy to a heating device within the container from which heat is transferred in some way to the liquid and then to the tissue
Implementation Method 6
The liquid is then heated either by supplying warm liquid through a circulating system
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4c
Figure 5
AI summary
A device for supply of heat to body tissue, comprising heating means (26) and a first temperature transducer (20) which is insertable in the body tissue, the heating means (26) being connected with an energy supply unit (27) governed by a control unit (42) via a catheter for treatment (10) which is insertable in a body cavity and said first temperature transducer (20) being operatively connected to the control unit (42). The control unit (42) is operatively connected with memory means (52) for storage of data corresponding to the survival of cells as a function of cell temperature. An input/output means(45) is operatively connected to control unit (42) to enter data such as desired volume/weight of body tissue to which heat is to be supplied to such an extent that the cells of the tissue die, and the control unit (42) being operatively connected to calculation means for determining volume and weight of such body tissue whose cells have died as a function of temperature and time in the tissue at a certain distance from heating means (26).