Spinal Tumor Ablation Probes with Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal tumor ablation devices face challenges in precisely targeting tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and providing effective stabilization of the vertebra post-treatment.
Innovation Solution
A spinal tumor ablation device with an articulating distal portion and temperature sensors that allows for precise positioning and controlled thermal energy delivery, followed by cement stabilization of the vertebra, using electrodes for radiofrequency ablation and a utility channel for cement delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal energy is delivered to ablate tumor tissue, then tumor destruction is achieved, but healthy surrounding tissue may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs multiple electrodes positioned at different locations and orientations within the same ablation probe, allowing different regions of the tumor to receive tailored thermal energy delivery. Each electrode can be independently controlled to create localized ablation zones that precisely match the tumor's irregular shape while sparing adjacent healthy tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the thermal state of tissue during ablation. This real-time feedback enables dynamic adjustment of the thermal energy delivery parameters, ensuring that the ablation reaches the required temperature for tumor destruction while automatically preventing overheating that could damage healthy surrounding tissue.
2Measurement precision
If the ablation device is positioned precisely to target the tumor, then treatment accuracy is improved, but the complexity of positioning and stabilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single integrated probe structure: electrodes for thermal energy delivery, temperature sensors for monitoring, and a stabilization mechanism for securing the probe during ablation. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and procedures needed, simplifying the overall positioning and stabilization process while maintaining high targeting accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization mechanism is designed to secure the ablation probe in the predetermined position before thermal energy delivery begins. This preliminary positioning and fixation ensures that the probe remains stable throughout the ablation process, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments and simplifying the overall positioning procedure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are used to treat irregularly shaped tumors, then ablation coverage is improved, but device complexity and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation probe is divided into multiple electrode segments, each capable of independent thermal energy delivery. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to irregular tumor shapes by activating only the electrodes that contact or are near the tumor tissue, rather than requiring a single complex electrode structure to cover the entire irregular geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple electrodes within the probe are designed with similar structural characteristics and control mechanisms, allowing them to perform the same basic function of thermal energy delivery. This universality simplifies the device design compared to having completely different electrode types, while still providing the versatility needed to treat irregularly shaped tumors through selective electrode activation.
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 precise tumor ablation with minimal healthy tissue damage and subsequent vertebra stabilization, ensuring effective treatment with reduced risk to surrounding tissues.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical current may then be delivered between the first electrode and the second electrode such that the electrical current passes through the tissue of the patient, thereby heating (and potentially killing) the adjacent tissue
Implementation Method 2
a thermal energy delivery probe that is configured to deliver thermal energy to tissue of a patient
Data Source
AI summary
Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.