Thermal Heating Element for Uniform Endometrial Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endometrial ablation techniques require multiple electrodes and complex feedback control systems to evenly heat the uterine tissue, which are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A selectively expandable bladder with insulative substrates and a thermal assembly that uses resistive elements to conduct thermal energy directly to a thermally conductive medium, eliminating the need for external grounding plates and allowing for precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple electrodes and feedback control systems are used to evenly heat uterine tissue, then heating uniformity is improved, but device complexity and treatment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex feedback control system and multiple electrode requirements by using a single balloon catheter with internal heating elements. The simplification removes unnecessary complexity while maintaining heating uniformity through the balloon's inherent design that distributes thermal energy evenly across the uterine wall surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon catheter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical expansion against the uterine wall, contains the thermally conductive medium, houses the heating elements, and distributes heat uniformly. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate components into a single integrated device, reducing complexity while maintaining effective treatment.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple electrodes are used to evenly heat conductive fluid, then heating coverage is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented into multiple discrete heating zones or elements within the single balloon catheter. Each segment can be independently controlled or activated, allowing selective treatment of different uterine regions. This segmentation enables comprehensive heating coverage while reducing total treatment time by parallel processing of multiple tissue areas simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon catheter is dynamically expandable, allowing it to adapt its size and shape to match the uterine cavity dimensions. This dynamic expansion ensures optimal contact between the heating surface and uterine wall, maximizing heating coverage. The ability to adjust balloon volume and pressure dynamically enables efficient heat distribution across the entire treatment area without requiring multiple sequential applications.
3Use of energy by moving object
If balloon is filled with thermally conductive liquid and expanded, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermally conductive liquid serves as an intermediary medium between the heating elements and the uterine tissue. It facilitates efficient heat transfer from the internal heating elements to the external tissue surface by conducting thermal energy through the fluid layer. This intermediary approach improves heat transfer efficiency while keeping the device structure relatively simple, as the liquid medium performs the heat distribution function without requiring complex mechanical heat transfer mechanisms.
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
Efficient and uniform heating of uterine tissue is achieved with reduced complexity and cost, using a single thermal assembly that heats the medium to 45-90°C for effective endometrial ablation.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal assembly is adapted to couple to an energy source and is configured to conduct thermal energy to a thermally conductive substrate upon activation of the thermal assembly, which, in turn, heats the thermally conductive medium
Implementation Method 2
The thermal assembly includes one or more resistive elements in thermal communication with the thermally conductive substrate and electrical communication with the energy source
Implementation Method 3
The thermal assembly includes one or more resistive elements in thermal communication with the thermally conductive substrate and electrical communication with the energy source
Implementation Method 4
a selectively expandable bladder configured for insertion through a cervical canal of a patient and into a patient's cervix, the selectively expandable bladder defining an interior volume for receiving a thermally conductive medium for expanding the selectively expandable bladder against the uterine tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A device for endometrial ablation includes a selectively expandable bladder configured for insertion through a cervical canal of a patient and into a patient's cervix. The selectively expandable bladder defines an interior volume for receiving a thermally conductive medium which, when introduced into the interior volume, expands the selectively expandable bladder against the uterine tissue of the cervix. One or more insulative substrates is operably disposed within the interior volume and supports a thermal assembly on the one or more insulative substrates. The thermal assembly couples to an energy source and is configured to conduct thermal energy to a thermally conductive substrate upon activation of the thermal assembly, which, in turn, heats the thermally conductive medium in contact with the thermally conductive substrate to treat the uterine tissue of a patient.