Transurethral Vapor Ablation Probe for Prostate Tissue
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating prostate tissue, such as RF ablation and high-intensity focused ultrasound, face challenges like prolonged healing times and increased inflammatory responses due to tissue carbonization, which are not effectively addressed in minimally invasive treatments for BPH and prostate cancer.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a transurethral ablation probe that delivers condensable vapor and aspirates prostate tissue, with optional rotation and high-pressure liquid injection, to volumetrically remove tissue while minimizing damage to the urethra and promoting rapid healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-frequency current or laser ablation is used to treat prostate tissue, then tissue ablation is achieved, but tissue carbonization occurs resulting in increased inflammatory response and longer healing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the ablation medium from solid (laser) or electrical field (RF) to gas phase water vapor. This parameter change allows for controlled vaporization that heats tissue to temperatures sufficient for ablation (100-400°C) without reaching the carbonization threshold, thereby eliminating the harmful carbonization effect while maintaining effective tissue destruction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor form. By delivering water in vapor form directly to the prostate tissue, the system leverages the high heat capacity and latent heat of vaporization of water to achieve controlled thermal ablation. The vapor condenses on the tissue surface, releasing heat that cooks and destroys abnormal tissue without causing carbonization, thus resolving the contradiction between effective ablation and harmful side effects
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive ablation methods are used to treat prostate tissue, then surgical trauma is reduced, but healing time is prolonged due to carbonization
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the ablation parameter from high-energy laser or RF fields to controlled water vapor delivery, the system achieves minimally invasive treatment without the carbonization side effect. The vapor delivers thermal energy more gently and controllably, preserving tissue structure for faster natural healing while still achieving complete ablation of abnormal tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful effect of thermal energy (which causes carbonization in traditional methods) into a beneficial controlled cooking effect. By using water vapor as the energy carrier, the thermal energy is delivered in a controlled manner that cooks and destroys abnormal tissue while preserving surrounding healthy tissue structure, enabling faster healing. The condensation of vapor releases heat that is beneficial for ablation but controlled enough to prevent harmful carbonization
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
This approach allows for efficient removal of prostate tissue with reduced inflammatory response and faster healing by delivering controlled thermal and mechanical energy for tissue disruption and aspiration, maintaining urethral patency and reducing tissue burden for quicker recovery.
Implementation Method 1
translating the ablation probe along the longitudinal axis while injecting condensable vapor through the ablation probe into the prostate
Implementation Method 2
injecting condensable vapor through the ablation probe into the prostate
Implementation Method 3
aspirating prostate tissue proximally through the ablation probe
Implementation Method 4
injecting a high pressure liquid through the ablation probe into the prostate
Data Source
AI summary
A prostate therapy system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can access a prostate lobe transurethrally. Another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can deliver condensable vapor into the prostate to ablate the prostate tissue. Another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can aspirate tissue from the prostate. Yet another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can rotate during delivery of vapor and aspiration of tissue. Methods associated with use of the prostate therapy system are also covered.