Rotating Electrode Mechanism for Compact to Expanded Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical devices with flexible electrodes used for delivering therapeutic energy to tissue face challenges in maintaining proper alignment and placement within small diameters, especially when transitioning from a compact to an expanded configuration, which is crucial for precise tissue ablation techniques like Irreversible Electroporation (IRE).
Innovation Solution
A medical device featuring a rotating mechanism that allows electrodes to change their configuration from a compact to an expanded position while maintaining parallel orientation, enabling precise placement and alignment within small diameters, and includes a sleeve for protection and controlled exposure of the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If flexible materials with shape memory are used for electrodes to enable compact configuration, then the probe cross-section can be reduced, but the electrodes cannot maintain proper alignment when expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into three distinct sections: a proximal section with a first diameter, an intermediate section with a second diameter, and a distal section with a third diameter. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function - the proximal section provides structural support, the intermediate section enables rotation and configuration change, and the distal section maintains precise alignment during treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode incorporates an intermediate section that can rotate relative to the proximal and distal sections, allowing the electrode to dynamically transition between compact and expanded configurations. This dynamic capability enables the electrode to change its radial state while maintaining alignment through controlled rotation rather than relying on flexible memory materials.
2Length of moving object
If electrodes are placed in a compact position to reduce probe diameter, then the probe can be inserted through small access points, but the distance between electrodes cannot be increased for effective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode's intermediate section can rotate to change the radial distance between electrodes, allowing the system to adapt between compact insertion configuration and expanded treatment configuration. This dynamic adjustment provides versatility in electrode spacing while maintaining a small probe diameter for insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode configuration changes by rotating in the radial dimension rather than extending axially. This allows the distance between electrodes to be increased in the radial direction while keeping the probe's axial length and insertion diameter small, effectively using a different spatial dimension to resolve the contradiction.
3Device complexity
If conventional flexible electrodes are used, then the device structure can be simplified, but the electrodes cannot maintain parallel orientation during configuration changes
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the electrode into segmented sections with different diameters provides inherent structural stability. The proximal section with larger diameter provides a stable base, while the distal section maintains consistent orientation during rotation of the intermediate section, ensuring parallel electrode orientation without requiring complex stabilization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled rotation mechanism of the intermediate section allows the electrode to dynamically change configuration while maintaining stable parallel orientation of the distal sections. This dynamic system provides both flexibility in configuration change and stability in operational orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for delivering therapeutic energy to tissue is provided. The device includes a housing and a rotating device coupled to the housing. The device includes a plurality of electrodes, each electrode including: (i) a proximal section longitudinally extending from within the housing to an exterior of the housing and having a longitudinal axis; (ii) an intermediate section extending from the proximal section; and (iii) a distal section extending longitudinally from the intermediate section. The rotating device is coupled to the proximal sections of the plurality of electrodes and adapted to rotate the distal section of the electrodes so that distance between at least two electrodes changes, so that the electrodes can be placed in a compact configuration or an expanded configuration to provide for a treatment region larger than the size of the opening for insertion.