Tissue Ablation Probe with Isolated Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ablation procedures for thyroid nodules and tumors risk damaging nearby nerves due to the difficulty in ensuring the ablation electrode maintains a safe distance from nerves like the recurrent laryngeal nerve and vagus nerve, particularly in procedures where the electrode is moved during ablation.
Innovation Solution
An ablation device with a separate stimulation electrode at the distal tip and an ablation electrode axially spaced by an insulative ring, allowing nerve monitoring to confirm safe electrode placement before ablation, and a retractable sleeve for adjustable ablation surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electrode is used for both stimulation and ablation, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently control stimulation and ablation functions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is divided into two separate electrodes: a stimulation electrode and an ablation electrode. This segmentation allows each electrode to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining independence in control and operation, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation function is extracted as a separate electrode from the ablation electrode. This extraction enables independent control of stimulation parameters without affecting ablation delivery, allowing the system to adapt to different functional requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Length of moving object
If the stimulation electrode and ablation electrode are placed close together, then the device size is reduced, but electrical interference between the two electrodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
An insulative ring is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the stimulation electrode and ablation electrode. This insulative barrier electrically isolates the two electrodes, preventing harmful electrical interference and current leakage while maintaining a compact overall device size by keeping the electrodes in close proximity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ablation electrode surface area is fixed, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different ablation requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation electrode surface area is made dynamically adjustable through a retractable sleeve mechanism. The sleeve can be extended or retracted to expose different portions of the ablation electrode, allowing the effective ablation surface area to be adjusted based on procedural requirements while maintaining a simple fixed-geometry electrode structure that is easy to manufacture.
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
Ensures predictable and safe nerve proximity detection, enabling controlled ablation without nerve damage by providing consistent nerve stimulation and adjustable ablation electrode exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a stimulation electrode (122) disposed on a distal tip portion of the elongated shaft (120) and configured to electrically stimulate nerves
Implementation Method 2
an ablation electrode (124) disposed on the elongated shaft (120) and axially spaced proximally from the stimulation electrode (122). The ablation electrode (124) is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue
Implementation Method 3
An insulative ring (125) surrounds the elongated shaft (120) and is disposed between the stimulation electrode (122) and the ablation electrode (124)
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation device includes an elongated shaft extending distally from a handle, a stimulation electrode, an ablation electrode, and an insulative ring. The stimulation electrode is disposed on a distal tip portion of the elongated shaft and is configured to electrically stimulate nerves. The ablation electrode is disposed on the elongated shaft and is axially spaced proximally from the stimulation electrode. The ablation electrode is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. The insulative ring surrounds the elongated shaft and is disposed between the stimulation electrode and the ablation electrode to electrically isolate the stimulation electrode from the ablation electrode.