Vertebral Ablation Probe with Curved Obstruction-Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pain treatment methods often result in thermal damage to sensitive anatomical structures and are limited by obstructed anterior access, making it difficult to effectively ablate pain-producing nerves within bones like the vertebrae without causing incidental damage.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for ablating nerves within vertebrae using a probe that navigates through the anterior face of the vertebra, avoiding sensitive biological structures by employing an obstruction-avoidance portion with a rigid, constant shape, allowing precise and efficient treatment while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a probe is used to ablate nerves within vertebrae through anterior access, then effective pain treatment is achieved, but sensitive biological structures may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective pain treatmentVSAvoiddamage to sensitive biological structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The probe incorporates a curved obstruction-avoidance portion that allows the device to navigate around sensitive biological structures (such as the longus colli muscle and vessels) while maintaining the ability to reach and ablate the basivertebral nerve within the vertebra, thus achieving effective pain treatment without damaging surrounding tissues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The probe is divided into distinct functional segments: a curved obstruction-avoidance portion for navigating around sensitive structures, a straight penetration portion for entering the vertebra, and an ablation tip for treating the nerve. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If current pain treatment methods are used, then nerves can be ablated, but thermal damage occurs to surrounding sensitive structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve ablation effectivenessVSAvoidthermal damage to surrounding structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ablation energy is concentrated and delivered locally at the distal tip of the probe where the basivertebral nerve is located, while the curved obstruction-avoidance portion and surrounding tissues remain unaffected. This localized energy delivery achieves effective nerve ablation without causing thermal damage to adjacent sensitive structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If anterior access is used to reach nerves in vertebrae, then direct access to target is achieved, but obstructed access by sensitive structures prevents probe insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect access to targetVSAvoidaccess through obstructed path

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The curved obstruction-avoidance portion of the probe enables the device to follow a non-linear path through the obstructed anterior access route, navigating around sensitive structures to reach the vertebra and basivertebral nerve, thus maintaining ease of operation while adapting to anatomical obstacles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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, efficient, and cost-effective pain treatment by avoiding damage to sensitive biological structures, allowing for effective ablation of nerves such as basivertebral nerves, thereby reducing pain effectively while minimizing collateral damage.

Implementation Method 1

activating the probe such that the nerve is ablated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal ablation: Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS11364069B2Device and method for alleviation of pain

Publication Date: 2022.06.21 HEGGENESS MICHAEL

AI summary

A target-treating system treats a target disposed within a bone of a patient. The system comprises a probe configured to be inserted into the bone and navigated therethrough toward the target. The probe comprises a shaft that includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a main body extending between and interconnecting the proximal end and the distal end. The distal end is configured to engage the target such that, upon activation of the probe, the target is treated.