Resonating Metallic Rod for MRI-Guided Tumor Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF ablation devices require external RF generators, which pose safety risks and logistical challenges when used in MRI environments due to magnetically induced displacement forces, necessitating a safer and more integrated method for tumor ablation.
Innovation Solution
A non-ferrous metallic rod is designed to resonate RF waves wirelessly, harnessing energy from an MRI's RF generator to heat a tumor, eliminating the need for external equipment and allowing for safer, more precise ablation procedures within an MRI suite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external RF generator is used for RF ablation, then the ablation can be performed with controlled power and temperature, but safety risks increase due to magnetically induced displacement forces in the MRI environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RF generation function from the external RF generator and integrates it into the MRI system itself. The metallic rod is designed to resonate with the MRI's RF field, eliminating the need for separate external RF generation equipment and removing the safety hazards associated with external generators in the MRI environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the RF ablation function with the MRI imaging system. The metallic rod is designed to resonate with the MRI's RF field, combining the imaging and ablation functions into a single integrated system, thereby eliminating the need for separate external RF generators and reducing safety risks.
2Ease of operation
If an external RF generator is used, then power control is achieved, but logistical challenges and safety risks arise from having equipment outside the MRI suite
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the MRI's own RF field as an intermediary to transfer energy to the metallic rod. Instead of using an external RF generator that would require physical connection and power control equipment outside the MRI suite, the system leverages the MRI's RF field as the energy source, simplifying logistics and eliminating magnetic displacement forces from external equipment.
3Extent of automation
If a metallic rod is used to resonate RF waves, then wireless energy transfer is achieved, but the rod must be precisely tuned to the MRI's RF frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the resonant parameters of the metallic rod to match the MRI's RF frequency. By carefully controlling the length and physical properties of the rod during manufacturing, the system achieves precise resonance with the MRI's RF field, enabling efficient wireless energy transfer without requiring complex external control systems.
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 enables effective tumor ablation with reduced safety risks and increased procedural accuracy by using the MRI's RF energy to heat the metallic rod, eliminating the need for external RF generators and associated hazards, while allowing real-time thermography for monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a non-ferrous metallic rod adapted to wirelessly receive radio frequency energy from a radio frequency generator of a magnetic resonance imager where the non-ferrous metallic rod has a distal tip, a longitudinal axis, and a resonant length for the magnetic resonance imager
Implementation Method 2
the distal tip of the rod is configured to heat a tumor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to methods, systems, and devices for ablating a tumor with heat delivered from a non-ferrous metallic rod having a length adapted to support resonating radio frequency waves along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The tumor ablation may be carried out in an MRI where the radio frequency transmitter of the MRI wirelessly delivers the energy to heat the metallic rod.