Robotic Catheter with Positioning Elements for Uniform Tissue Ablation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tissue ablation techniques face challenges such as operator dependency, inconsistent depth of ablation, and high risk of complications like bleeding and perforation due to the inability to achieve uniform and controlled ablation, especially in hollow organs with varying sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a catheter with positioning elements and ports for uniform delivery of an ablative agent, such as steam, controlled by a microprocessor to maintain consistent distance from the tissue and ensure precise ablation, minimizing adverse effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hand-held ablation devices are used, then operator dependency and maneuverability are maintained, but ablation depth consistency and uniformity deteriorate due to target tissue movement and operator variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated robotic system that uses sensors and computer control to deliver ablation energy. The robotic catheter system automatically positions and delivers energy based on pre-planned trajectories, eliminating operator variability and target tissue movement issues while maintaining ease of operation through automated navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time tracking and feedback mechanisms that automatically adjust for target tissue movement and anatomical variations. The robotic catheter self-corrects its position and energy delivery parameters based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment while maintaining consistent ablation depth and uniformity.
2Reliability
If deeper ablation is applied to ensure complete removal of target tissue, then efficacy improves, but risk of complications such as bleeding, stricture formation, and perforation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates real-time temperature sensing and energy delivery monitoring that provides feedback to the control system. This allows the system to automatically adjust energy delivery parameters to achieve the precise ablation depth needed for complete tissue removal while stopping before reaching critical structures, thereby eliminating the need to choose between deeper ablation and lower complication risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts multiple parameters including energy amplitude, pulse duration, and delivery frequency based on real-time tissue response and pre-planned treatment protocols. This enables precise control over ablation depth and thermal spread, achieving complete tissue removal while maintaining a safety margin that prevents complications such as perforation and stricture formation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If superficial ablation is applied to reduce complications, then safety improves, but complete ablation of target tissue is not achieved leaving residual neoplastic tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time temperature and energy delivery monitoring provides feedback that enables the system to distinguish between superficial and adequate ablation depths. The control system uses this feedback to automatically increase energy delivery when needed to achieve complete tissue removal, ensuring that safety is not compromised by overly conservative settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic catheter system dynamically adapts its energy delivery profile based on real-time tissue characteristics and anatomical variations. This allows the system to deliver precisely the right amount of energy at each location to achieve complete ablation while maintaining safety margins, eliminating the need to choose between superficial and deep ablation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple treatment sessions are required to achieve complete ablation, then complication risk per session decreases, but total treatment time and patient burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses advanced parameter optimization to deliver the maximum safe energy in a single treatment session. By dynamically adjusting energy amplitude, pulse duration, and delivery patterns based on real-time feedback, the system achieves complete ablation in one session while maintaining safety margins, eliminating the need for multiple treatments and reducing total treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic catheter system continuously delivers energy along pre-planned trajectories without interruption, ensuring complete coverage of the target tissue in a single continuous treatment session. This eliminates the need for multiple discrete treatment sessions while maintaining safety through automated control and real-time monitoring.
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 device enables consistent, controlled, and uniform ablation of target tissues, reducing the risk of complications and improving the efficacy of treatments for conditions like Barrett esophagus and endometrial ablation.
Implementation Method 1
an ablative agent can be released out of the shaft... uniform delivery of an ablative agent, such as steam... controlled by a microprocessor to maintain consistent distance from the tissue and ensure precise ablation
Implementation Method 2
a device comprising a catheter with positioning elements and ports for uniform delivery of an ablative agent... to maintain consistent distance from the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed toward a device that performs ablation of tissue. The device has a catheter with a shaft through which an ablative agent can travel, a first positioning element attached to the catheter shaft at a first position and a second positioning element attached to the catheter shaft at a second position. The shaft also has ports through which the ablative agent can be released.