Vapor Phase Media for Controlled Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical energy delivery methods, such as RF, laser, and microwave, struggle to provide controlled and localized thermal effects for tissue ablation due to non-linear tissue characteristics, often leading to uncontrolled thermal distributions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a vapor phase media that undergoes a vapor-to-liquid phase change to deliver thermal energy to tissue, with a device having an expandable structure that allows for controlled energy application without electrical fields, using vapor outlets and additional energy modalities like RF, light, or resistive heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If RF, laser, or microwave energy is applied directly to tissue, then thermal energy delivery is achieved, but the thermal effects are uncontrolled and non-uniform due to tissue's non-linear characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vapor phase media as an intermediary substance between the energy source and the tissue. The vapor carries thermal energy and delivers it to the tissue through phase change (vapor to liquid transition), providing controlled and localized thermal effects without the non-uniform distribution problems of direct RF, laser, or microwave energy application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the media from vapor to liquid state as the core mechanism for controlled energy delivery. The vapor phase allows for easy transport and distribution, while the phase change to liquid at the tissue interface releases thermal energy in a controlled manner, enabling precise thermal effects without carbonization.
2Power
If RF energy is used for tissue ablation, then thermal energy is delivered to tissue, but carbonization and desiccation occur due to uncontrolled thermal distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor phase media serves as an intermediary that carries thermal energy to the tissue without causing direct carbonization. The phase change mechanism allows for controlled energy release that prevents the uncontrolled thermal distribution and associated harmful effects like carbonization and desiccation that occur with direct RF energy application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the energy delivery medium from direct electromagnetic energy to vapor phase liquid. This parameter change enables controlled thermal delivery through phase transition, preventing the harmful effects of carbonization while maintaining effective energy delivery power.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electromagnetic energy is applied to tissue, then thermal effects are produced, but the energy distribution is non-uniform due to tissue characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor phase media acts as an intermediary that distributes thermal energy uniformly to the tissue. Unlike direct electromagnetic energy application which is affected by tissue's non-linear characteristics, the vapor can distribute energy more evenly through its phase change process, achieving uniform thermal distribution across the treatment area.
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 and controlled thermal energy delivery to targeted tissue volumes, minimizing tissue damage and achieving therapeutic effects like ablation, coagulation, or lesion creation without carbonization or desiccation.
Implementation Method 1
a vapor phase media wherein a subsequent vapor-to-liquid phase change of the media applies thermal energy to the tissue
Implementation Method 2
expanding a structure from within a working end of the device into the body region
Implementation Method 3
additional energy modalities include RF energy, light energy, radiation, resistive heating
Data Source
AI summary
Medical instruments and systems for applying energy to tissue for ablating, sealing, coagulating, shrinking or creating lesions in tissue by means of contacting a targeted tissue in a patient with a vapor phase media wherein a subsequent vapor-to-liquid phase change of the media applies thermal energy to the tissue to cause an intended therapeutic effect.