Steerable Microwave Ablation Catheter With Coolant Channels

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current energy delivery devices, particularly for microwave ablation, are limited in accessing difficult-to-reach tissue regions such as the peripheral lung tissues due to size and flexibility constraints, and they suffer from undesired heat dissipation and eschar formation.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a primary catheter, channel catheter, and steerable navigation catheter is used to navigate through branched structures, with a steerable tip and position sensor for precise placement, and includes coolant channels to prevent overheating, along with adjustable energy delivery and impedance optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current energy delivery devices are used for microwave ablation, then energy delivery capability is provided, but device size and flexibility are limited preventing access to difficult-to-reach tissue regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to tissue regionsVSAvoiddevice size and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested catheter system where a steerable navigation catheter is inserted through a channel catheter, which is in turn inserted through a primary catheter. This multi-level nesting allows the energy delivery device to access difficult-to-reach tissue regions while maintaining a manageable overall device structure. The steerable navigation catheter can be withdrawn through the channel catheter to leave a guide channel for subsequent energy delivery device insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a primary catheter for initial access, a channel catheter for guiding and supporting the steerable navigation catheter, and the steerable navigation catheter for precise positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively enabling access to peripheral lung tissues and other difficult-to-reach regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If microwave energy is delivered to tissue, then deeper penetration and larger thermal lesions are achieved, but undesired heat dissipation and eschar formation occur on energy emitting electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue heating capabilityVSAvoidheat dissipation and eschar formation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces coolant channels as an intermediary cooling mechanism within the catheter structure. Coolant flows through these channels to absorb heat from the energy emitting electrodes and transmission lines, preventing eschar formation and reducing undesired heat dissipation. This allows microwave energy to be delivered at higher powers without compromising the device or causing collateral tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts microwave power delivery parameters based on real-time temperature monitoring and feedback. The power supply can modulate energy delivery to optimize tissue ablation while preventing excessive heat accumulation that would cause eschar formation. Impedance optimization is also employed to maximize energy transfer efficiency and minimize harmful heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If RF energy is used for ablation, then established technology is available, but rapid dissipation of energy in surface tissues results in shallow burns and failure to access deeper tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation effectivenessVSAvoidpenetration depth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from RF energy to microwave energy, fundamentally changing the energy delivery parameter to achieve deeper tissue penetration. Microwave energy at specific frequencies (e.g., 915 MHz or 2.45 GHz) provides greater penetration depth and more uniform energy distribution throughout the tissue volume, enabling effective ablation of deep-seated tumors and arrhythmic tissues that RF energy cannot reach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 energy delivery to challenging tissue regions while minimizing heat release and collateral damage, allowing for effective ablation and reducing overheating through coolant circulation and impedance optimization.

Implementation Method 1

with a steerable tip and position sensor for precise placement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition sensing:

Implementation Method 2

includes coolant channels to prevent overheating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 3

In some embodiments, the energy delivery device is configured to deliver energy (e.g., microwave energy) to a tissue region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20260000449A1Energy delivery systems and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 NEUWAVE MEDICAL INC

AI summary

An energy delivery device includes an inner conductor, and a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor. The dielectric defines a coolant channel and a coolant is flowable through the coolant channel.