Segmented Hollow Body Ablation Apparatus for Distorted Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hollow body ablation devices face challenges in effectively ablating the interior lining of organs with distorted cavity shapes and require larger diameters for insertion, leading to increased patient trauma and anesthesia requirements.
Innovation Solution
A hollow body ablation apparatus with adjustable electrodes and a collapsible design that fits through small openings, featuring a handheld implement with geometric adjustments and a controller system for precise energy delivery, allowing for minimally invasive access and conformability to various organ sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing ablation devices are used to treat distorted cavity shapes, then ablation coverage is improved, but device diameter increases leading to greater patient trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation device is divided into multiple segments or sections that can independently adjust their positioning. The electrodes are arranged in segments along the device length, allowing each segment to be positioned independently to match distorted cavity geometries without requiring a uniformly large device diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable electrode arrangements that can dynamically adapt to different cavity shapes. The electrodes can be repositioned or reconfigured during the procedure to match the specific geometry of distorted cavities, providing adaptability without requiring a fixed large diameter structure
2Length of moving object
If existing ablation devices are inserted through small openings, then patient trauma is reduced, but the devices cannot adequately conform to distorted organ shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested or telescopic structure where components can be collapsed or retracted into a compact configuration for insertion through small openings. Once positioned, the components can be extended or deployed to achieve full conformability to distorted organ shapes, effectively nesting the full functional structure within a small insertion profile
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates flexible elements such as expandable balloons or compliant structures that can be inserted in a compressed state and then expanded to conform to distorted cavity shapes. These flexible components allow the device to pass through small openings while maintaining the ability to adapt to complex organ geometries upon deployment
3Productivity
If high energy density is applied for complete ablation, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but tissue charring occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation energy is divided and delivered through multiple segmented electrodes rather than a single high-power source. This segmentation allows the total ablation energy to be distributed across multiple lower-power contact points, achieving complete ablation while preventing localized overheating and charring
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies different energy levels to different regions based on local tissue characteristics and ablation progress. Each electrode segment can be independently controlled to deliver appropriate energy density to its specific contact region, ensuring complete ablation where needed while avoiding excessive energy that would cause charring in other areas
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 complete ablation of the organ lining with reduced trauma and anesthesia needs by collapsing to fit through small apertures and adjusting to fit organ shapes, achieving effective treatment with lower energy density to prevent charring.
Implementation Method 1
Ablation of the interior lining of a body organ is a procedure that involves heating the organ lining to temperatures that destroys the cells of the lining
Implementation Method 2
The controller controls the radiofrequency energy delivered to the electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
An ablation apparatus places electrodes at the perimeter of a cavity. In an embodiment, the alternating electric field is used to expose the cavity to enough energy to ablate the cavity. In an embodiment, two modes are used to expose different regions of the cavity to different amount of power for so that the thermal effect is more uniform. In an embodiment, the electrodes have a relatively large surface area so as to avoid charring the cavity, but are shaped so as to fit within a body orifice. For example, the diameter of the sheathed housing the electrodes during penetration may be only 5.5 mm.