Robotic Bronchoscope RF Tunnel Creation for Precise Airway Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunnel creation methods for robotic endoscopes in lung cancer diagnosis are inefficient due to large catheter sizes and potential bleeding during airway wall penetration, leading to loss of visualization and increased procedural complexity.
Innovation Solution
A robotic endoscope system using a tunnel creation device with a metal tip and RF energy to create a smaller opening in the airway wall, anchored by a rough surface for precise ablation, combined with tomosynthesis and augmented fluoroscopy for improved visualization and tool-in-lesion confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a needle and dilator catheter are used to create a tunnel through the airway wall, then the tunnel can be created to access target tissue, but the catheter size increases and the procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel creation device is divided into separate functional modules: a needle component for initial penetration, a dilator component for expanding the tract, and a working channel component for instrument passage. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while reducing overall procedural complexity through modular assembly and disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is nested within the dilator catheter, which in turn is nested within the working channel catheter. This nested configuration allows sequential deployment of components through the same access path, eliminating the need for separate skin punctures and reducing procedural complexity while maintaining precise tunnel creation capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If a needle is used to penetrate the airway wall for tunnel creation, then the tunnel can be established, but bleeding occurs causing loss of visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical needle penetration process is replaced with a RF ablation-based tunnel creation method. The RF energy coagulates tissue and creates a controlled thermal pathway through the airway wall, significantly reducing mechanical trauma and associated bleeding while maintaining precise opening creation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue interaction mechanism is changed from mechanical cutting (needle) to thermal coagulation (RF ablation). By controlling RF energy parameters such as power, duration, and electrode configuration, a precise tunnel opening is created with minimal hemorrhage, preserving endoscopic visualization throughout the procedure.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple device exchanges are performed during tunnel creation, then the tunnel can be completed, but the procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle penetration, dilator expansion, and working channel placement steps are merged into a single integrated RF ablation process. The RF electrode performs all functions sequentially in one continuous action, eliminating multiple device exchanges and significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining tunnel creation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF ablation process performs preliminary tissue coagulation and tract formation before final instrument placement. This preliminary action creates a stable, pre-formed pathway that eliminates the need for subsequent dilator exchanges and working channel repositioning, streamlining the overall procedure.
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
The system enables efficient and accurate creation of airway tunnels for treatment devices, reducing procedural risks and enhancing diagnostic accuracy by ensuring precise tool placement and visualization.
Implementation Method 1
The tunnel creation device may utilize radiofrequency (RF) energy to create an opening on the airway wall for accessing a target tissue
Implementation Method 2
The tunnel creation device may comprise a metal tip with a rough surface to provide additional friction for anchoring the distal tip of the tunnel creation device to the target site surface
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for creating a tunnel for accessing a target tissue are provided. The method comprises: navigating a robotic bronchoscope towards a target site in an airway passage; inserting a tunnel creation device through a working channel of the robotic bronchoscope and creating an opening on the airway at the target site; and inserting a treatment device through the working channel and reaching a target tissue by passing through the opening. The tunnel creation device utilized RF energy with a metal tip, where the metal tip has a rough surface to anchor the metal tip to the target site. The opening has a size allowing the treatment device to pass through and the size is smaller than a diameter of the robotic bronchoscope.