Reusable Control Unit for Uterine Ablation Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional uterine ablation devices are complex, costly, and difficult to integrate due to the need for monitoring pressure and temperature, and are not well-designed for interaction with related components, leading to increased procedural complexity and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A reusable control unit with a processor and disposable procedure set that includes sensors and a mechanical safety interlock, along with an ablation fluid control system featuring a pump and heater, to monitor and control hydro-thermal ablation procedures, reducing complexity and cost by separating reusable and disposable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ablation devices are used with integrated monitoring and control systems, then safety and control capability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a reusable control unit containing the processor and monitoring systems, and a disposable procedure set containing the ablation tools and fluid delivery components. This segmentation allows the complex control system to be separated from the disposable components, reducing the complexity burden on each individual component while maintaining overall system safety and control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable control unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and the disposable procedure set. It provides centralized monitoring of pressure, temperature, and tool status, and controls the pump and heater systems. This intermediary approach consolidates the complex control functions in a dedicated unit that interfaces with simpler disposable components.
2Ease of operation
If conventional ablation devices with integrated monitoring are used, then procedure control is improved, but procedural complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable control unit is designed as a universal platform that can work with different disposable procedure sets. The control unit provides standardized interfaces for fluid delivery, electrical power, and data communication, allowing the same control system to support multiple ablation procedures and tools without requiring custom integration for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors pressure, temperature, and tool status through sensors in the disposable procedure set, and uses this feedback to automatically adjust pump flow rates, heater power, and other system parameters. This closed-loop feedback system simplifies operator intervention while maintaining precise procedural control.
3Device complexity
If reusable control units with disposable procedure sets are used, then cost and complexity are reduced, but integration capability may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable procedure set extracts only the essential ablation functions and fluid delivery components needed for the procedure, separating them from the complex control, power supply, and monitoring systems. This extraction allows the disposable portion to be simple and inexpensive while the reusable control unit provides the necessary integration capabilities through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The procedure set is designed as a disposable, single-use component that contains the ablation tools and fluid pathways. This disposable approach eliminates the need for complex sterilization and maintenance procedures, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining integration capability through standardized connection interfaces with the reusable control unit.
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
The system enhances monitoring and control of uterine ablation procedures, ensuring safety and effectiveness while reducing overall treatment costs by allowing for precise delivery of heated saline solution and pressure control, thus improving patient outcomes and procedural efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater controlled by the processor
Implementation Method 2
a pump and a heater controlled by the processor
Data Source
AI summary
A system for ablating tissue includes a reusable control unit including a processor monitoring and controlling ablation and a control interface receiving input to and output from the processor in combination with a disposable procedure set releasably connectable to the control unit to couple to the control interface for communication with the processor.