Radiofrequency Ablation Stylet Configuration for Uterine Fibroids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for uterine fibroids, such as hysterectomy, uterine artery embolization, and Myomectomy, are invasive and come with significant complications and long recovery times, necessitating a safer alternative for uterine fibroid ablation.
Innovation Solution
A radiofrequency ablation apparatus with a cannula housing conductors and ablation stylets, where the stylets are axially moved to create a predictable ablation zone by varying their extension and power application, allowing for controlled tissue destruction within the uterine fibroid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hysterectomy is performed to remove uterine fibroids, then complete removal of fibroids is achieved, but surgical complexity and recovery time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical removal (hysterectomy) with radiofrequency energy-based ablation. The ablation probe delivers RF energy through conductors to thermally destroy fibroid tissue in situ, eliminating the need for mechanical cutting and tissue removal while achieving complete fibroid elimination with minimal invasiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of fibroid tissue through controlled thermal parameters. By delivering RF energy at specific power levels and durations, the tissue undergoes coagulative necrosis and subsequent shrinkage, transforming the treatment approach from mechanical removal to thermal modification with predictable outcomes
2Reliability
If uterine artery embolization is used to treat fibroids, then fibroid blood supply is cut off, but procedure complexity and complication rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical embolization process (blocking arteries with particles) with direct RF energy delivery to the fibroid tissue. This substitution eliminates the need for catheter navigation and particle injection, reducing procedural complexity and avoiding complications associated with vascular manipulation while achieving effective fibroid destruction
3Reliability
If Myomectomy is performed to surgically remove fibroids, then fibroid tissue is eliminated, but recovery time and surgical invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces surgical myomectomy with percutaneous RF ablation. The ablation probe is inserted through a small puncture site and delivers energy to destroy fibroid tissue internally, eliminating the need for large incisions and extensive surgical recovery while achieving complete tissue elimination through thermal necrosis and shrinkage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RF energy as an intermediary mechanism to achieve fibroid destruction without direct surgical contact. The energy acts as a mediator that transfers thermal effects to the target tissue through the ablation probe, enabling non-contact tissue destruction and significantly reduced recovery time compared to open surgery
4Volume of moving object
If ablation stylets are extended outwardly to create larger ablation zones, then treatment volume increases, but device configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ablation system into multiple independent stylets, each capable of individual extension and positioning. This segmentation allows the creation of complex three-dimensional ablation zones by coordinating multiple simple linear movements, transforming a potentially complex configuration problem into manageable individual stylet control while achieving large treatment volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic stylet extension where the length and position of each stylet can be adjusted in real-time based on treatment requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the same device to create various ablation zone sizes and shapes by simply changing stylet extension lengths, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-configuration devices and reducing overall 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
Enables the creation of ablation zones of predictable size and shape, reducing tissue trauma and recovery time, while effectively shrinking or eliminating uterine fibroids with minimal invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The trocar point and the stylets are provided with radio frequency energy, and together form an ablation zone
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2~7
AI summary
A method of ablating a uterine fibroid using a particular trocar is disclosed. The trocar comprises a plurality of ablation stylets. The trocar is adjustable to assume a plurality of configurations, each of the configurations having the stylets extended to a different extent from the trocar. A region to he ablated is imaged. The size of the region to be ablated is noted. The size of the region to be ablated is compared to a matrix of known ablation regions, each of the known ablation regions being associated with one of the configurations of the particular trocar. The region to be ablated is associated with a most nearly matching known ablation region by comparison of the region to be ablated to the known ablation regions. A trocar is inserted into the uterine fibroid at a position, which more closely matches the position of the particular trocar with respect to the known ablation region. The stylets are deployed from the trocar to an extent corresponding to the configuration.