Curved RF Ablation Pathway for Angled Tissue Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF ablation probes are straight and direct RF energy distally, limiting access to areas requiring ablation and direction of energy in other directions for treating nerve pain due to degenerative disease.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a stylet, cannula, needle, and drill to create a curved pathway for an RF ablation probe with flexible distal end and electrodes, allowing access and angled energy direction for ablation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If straight RF ablation probes are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the accessibility to hard and soft tissues requiring ablation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The access system is divided into multiple segments: a cannula for initial access, a stylet for guiding, a needle for creating the curved pathway, and a drill for enlarging the pathway. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function in sequence, enabling complex curved access while keeping individual components relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces curvature into the access pathway by using a needle with a curved distal end and a drill that follows this curved trajectory. This allows the RF ablation probe to reach tissues in directions that are not accessible with straight probes, significantly improving adaptability while the modular nature of the components keeps overall device complexity manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If straight RF ablation probes are used, then the device is simple to operate, but the ability to direct RF energy in directions other than distally is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The curved needle and drill create a non-linear pathway that allows the RF ablation probe to be directed at angles relative to the skin surface. The flexible distal end of the probe can follow this curved trajectory and position the electrodes in various orientations, enabling RF energy to be directed in multiple directions beyond just distal, while the standardized components maintain reasonable ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF ablation probe incorporates a flexible distal end that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation within the curved pathway created by the needle and drill. This flexibility allows the probe to adapt to the curved access route and position electrodes optimally for directing RF energy in the desired directions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a curved pathway is created using needle and drill, then access to inaccessible areas is enabled, but the pathway creation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pathway creation process is segmented into distinct steps: initial puncture with cannula, curved pathway formation with needle, and pathway enlargement with drill. This segmentation allows each step to be performed with a specialized tool, making the overall complex process manageable through systematic progression.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs nested components where the stylet is inserted into the cannula, the needle follows through the cannula, and the drill follows through the needle-created pathway. This nesting approach allows each component to utilize the pathway created by the previous component, systematically building the curved access route.
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 access to hard and soft tissues not accessible by straight probes and directs RF energy in non-distal directions for effective ablation.
Implementation Method 1
pushing portions of a radio-frequency (RF) ablation probe into, through, and out of the cannula and into and through the pathway to position a distal end portion of the RF ablation probe adjacent the hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation; and activating the RF ablation probe to ablate all or portions of the hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation
Implementation Method 2
activating the RF ablation probe to ablate all or portions of the hard and/or soft tissues requiring ablation
Implementation Method 3
when the RF ablation probe is positioned in the curved portion, line-of-sight propagation of current is possible between the active electrode and the return electrode
Data Source
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AI summary
A system to ablate tissue includes an RF ablation probe, a stylet, a cannula, a needle, and a drill. The system further includes inserting portions of a combined stylet into a patient's body to create a pathway and position distal ends of the stylet and cannula adjacent to the tissue; pushing the needle through the cannula to position a curved distal end of the needle adjacent the distal end of the cannula in the pathway; lengthening the pathway in a curved direction relative to a mid-longitudinal axis of the cannula by pushing the curved distal end of the needle further into the tissue; guiding a drill to lengthen the pathway in the curved direction; pushing portions of the ablation probe through the cannula and through the pathway to position a distal end portion of the ablation probe adjacent the tissue; and activating the ablation probe to ablate the tissue.