Independent RF Probe Control for Ablation Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiofrequency ablation procedures are inefficient due to the need for all probes to complete their procedures before troubleshooting and restarting a malfunctioning probe, leading to increased treatment time for patients.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for independent or simultaneous control of multiple radiofrequency probes, featuring a controller with a user interface that allows users to select between independent and simultaneous control modes, enabling each probe to be controlled individually or started simultaneously, with real-time monitoring of operating parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple probes are controlled simultaneously in traditional RF ablation procedures, then the system can deliver treatment to multiple sites, but the overall treatment time increases because all probes must complete their procedures before troubleshooting and restarting a malfunctioning probe
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control of multiple probes into independent, separable control channels. Each probe can be monitored, paused, troubleshooted, and restarted independently through individual control interfaces, allowing one probe to be serviced without affecting the operation of other probes. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling parallel operation of multiple probes while maintaining the ability to address individual probe issues without waiting for all probes to complete.
2Reliability
If a probe encounters a malfunction and stops during its procedure, the probe remains inactive until all remaining probes have completed their procedures, requiring the user to wait and then troubleshoot the problem probe
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation of functioning probes while allowing independent pausing and resumption of malfunctioning probes. When a probe encounters an issue, the control system enables the user to pause only that specific probe while other probes continue their procedures uninterrupted. This continuity principle resolves the contradiction by eliminating idle waiting time and maintaining maximum treatment throughput despite individual probe failures.
3Reliability
If the user waits for all probes to complete before troubleshooting a malfunctioning probe, then all probe procedures can be monitored, but valuable time is wasted adding probe procedure times together
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary independent control capabilities that allow the user to pause, troubleshoot, and restart individual probes before other probes complete their procedures. The control interface is designed to enable immediate intervention on a malfunctioning probe without requiring waiting for procedural completion of other probes. This preliminary action approach resolves the contradiction by eliminating the mandatory waiting period while maintaining reliable monitoring of all probe procedures.
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 enhances procedure efficiency by allowing for immediate troubleshooting and restarting of malfunctioning probes, reducing overall treatment time and improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
Tissue resistance to the current causes heating of tissue adjacent resulting in the coagulation of cells
Implementation Method 2
a cooling means is used to reduce the temperature of the tissue near an energy delivery device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering energy to a patient's body includes a plurality of probes for delivering at least one of electrical or radiofrequency energy to the patient's body and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of probes and configured to present a display including a collapsible control panel that overlays a plurality of independent control panels each indicating one or more real-time operating parameters associated with the plurality of probes. The collapsible control panel includes a first graphical element for starting a treatment procedure for all of the plurality of probes simultaneously and a second graphical element that, when selected by the user, causes the display to dynamically update by closing the collapsible control panel to present third graphical elements in each of the plurality of independent control panels, the third graphical elements configured to start an individual treatment procedure for an associated one of the plurality of probes.