No-Touch Radiofrequency Ablation System for Complete Tumor Cauterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiofrequency ablation systems face challenges in achieving efficient tumor cauterization and reducing tumor recurrence due to incomplete cauterization between electrodes, especially with single-electrode methods, which result in high recurrence rates and tumor spread.
Innovation Solution
A radiofrequency ablation system using a no-touch technique with a plurality of electrodes that can selectively operate in monopolarity, bipolarity, or hybrid modes, where electrodes are inserted around the lesion rather than directly into it, allowing for efficient heat generation and cauterization without increasing pressure, by employing a main amplifier, sub-amplifier, switching circuits, and sensors to manage RF power and grounding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple electrodes are used to increase cauterization efficiency, then the cauterization range is expanded, but incomplete cauterization occurs in the middle portion between electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment area is divided into multiple segments, each handled by a pair of electrodes. By segmenting the cauterization process into multiple overlapping zones, the system ensures complete coverage without gaps between electrode pairs, addressing the incomplete cauterization issue while maintaining expanded treatment range
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of multiple electrode pairs around the lesion before activation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that electrode tips are optimally positioned to create overlapping cauterization zones, preventing incomplete treatment areas before the ablation process begins
2Power
If electrodes are inserted directly into the lesion for effective cauterization, then heat generation efficiency is improved, but pressure on the lesion increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting electrodes directly into the lesion center, the system inverts the approach by positioning electrodes around the lesion periphery. The RF energy is delivered from surrounding positions, creating heat zones that converge on the lesion without requiring direct mechanical contact, thus maintaining heat efficiency while eliminating pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses RF energy as an intermediary to transfer heat to the lesion without direct mechanical contact. The electromagnetic energy serves as a mediator that delivers thermal effect to the target tissue through the surrounding medium, avoiding the need for physical insertion and pressure application
3Ease of operation
If a single electrode is used for radiofrequency ablation, then the system is simple to operate, but sufficient cauterization cannot be achieved and tumor recurrence rate is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple electrode pairs into a coordinated system that works together to achieve comprehensive cauterization. By combining the effects of multiple electrodes with controlled switching, the system achieves reliable tumor treatment while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous effective action by sequentially activating multiple electrode pairs in a coordinated manner. The switching circuit maintains continuous RF energy delivery to the lesion by transitioning between electrode pairs without interruption, ensuring complete and reliable cauterization throughout the treatment process
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 maximizes heat generation efficiency, reduces tumor recurrence, and enables complete cauterization without direct electrode insertion, providing a wider cauterization range and decreased impedance through strategic switching of electrode pairs and grounding configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a main amplifier configured to amplify electric power supplied to the main amplifier, the main amplifier being configured to provide main radiofrequency (RF) electric power resulting from amplification by the main amplifier
Implementation Method 2
raising the temperature of the human tissue to 60° C. to 100° C. in such a manner that high-frequency energy concentrates on the center portion of a tumor
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed are a radiofrequency ablation system and a method of controlling the radiofrequency ablation system, the system and the method being capable of selectively executing a monopolarity mode, in which heat is concentratedly generated around each of one pair of electrodes, or a bipolarity mode, in which heat is concentratedly generated between one pair of electrodes, without increasing pressure with a lesion by inserting a plurality of electrodes into the surrounding tissue instead of direct insertion thereof into the lesion.With the system and the method, efficiency in heat generation can be maximized, and a tumor recurrence ratio can be reduced.