Vapor-Based Prostate Tissue Ablation and Margin Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating prostate tissue, such as RF ablation and high-intensity focused ultrasound, face challenges like tissue carbonization and prolonged healing times due to inflammatory responses and inefficient tissue removal.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a probe inserted into prostatic tissue to rotate a cutter for volumetric removal and deliver vapor to seal the margins, applying thermal energy to weaken tissue structures and facilitate extraction while minimizing damage to the urethra, using a vapor energy generation system that can deliver high-energy vapor for therapeutic procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-frequency current in electrosurgical ablation or laser ablation is used, 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 energy delivery parameters by using vaporization at controlled temperatures (below carbonization threshold) instead of high-frequency current or laser. The vaporization process removes water and cellular contents without reaching the carbonization temperature, thereby eliminating the harmful carbonization effect while maintaining ablation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical ablation mechanisms (electrosurgical current, laser) with a thermal vaporization mechanism. The vaporization process uses controlled heat to sublime water and cellular contents, achieving tissue removal without the carbonization side effects associated with conventional methods.
2Productivity
If surgical methods are used for removal of diseased prostate tissue, then complete tissue removal is achieved, but invasive procedures and longer recovery time occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces open surgical incisions and mechanical resection with a minimally invasive vaporization technique. The vaporization probe is inserted through the urethra to directly vaporize prostatic tissue, eliminating the need for external incisions and reducing surgical trauma while maintaining complete tissue removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vapor as an intermediary substance to achieve tissue removal. The vaporization process acts as a mediator between the energy source and tissue, allowing controlled thermal ablation without direct mechanical contact or open surgery, thereby reducing invasiveness and recovery time.
3Reliability
If thermal energy is applied to seal tissue margins, then bleeding is controlled, but excessive heat may cause carbonization and increased inflammation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vaporization continuously during the sealing process to maintain controlled thermal energy delivery. The continuous vaporization prevents heat accumulation that would lead to carbonization, while still providing sufficient thermal effect to seal tissue margins and control bleeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the temperature parameter during sealing by using vaporization rather than direct thermal contact. The vaporization process maintains temperatures below the carbonization threshold while still achieving effective tissue sealing through the phase change energy and controlled heat transfer.
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 applying sufficient thermal energy to modify and seal tissue margins, maintaining urethral patency and effectively addressing BPH symptoms.
Implementation Method 1
delivering a vapor from the probe to seal a margin of the removed prostatic tissue. The delivering step applies sufficient thermal energy to substantially modify tissue. The modification of tissue can comprise weakening covalent bonds, denaturing proteins, or disrupting collagen structures
Implementation Method 2
an energy release from a phase change in the vapor seals the margin of the removed prostatic tissue
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 includes a cutter that can rotate during delivery of vapor and aspiration of tissue. Methods associated with use of the prostate therapy system are also covered.