Ablation electrode with temperature prompting function

Abstract

The ablation electrode with the temperature prompting function comprises a handle, a plug is arranged at one end of the handle, a cutter bar is arranged at the other end of the handle, a loop electrode, an insulator and a working electrode are arranged at the front end of the cutter bar, and a temperature feedback mechanism is further arranged at the front end of the cutter bar. And the temperature feedback mechanism displays a visible signal at the front end of the cutter bar. According to the technical scheme, the temperature feedback mechanism is arranged at the front end of the cutter bar, and when the temperature exceeds the preset value, the temperature feedback mechanism displays a visual signal at the front end of the cutter bar, so that a doctor can visually receive a temperature prompt under an endoscope; therefore, the purpose of prompting the temperature of fluid or tissue around the ablation area of the ablation electrode is achieved, and thermal damage is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an ablation electrode with a temperature indication function, belonging to the field of plasma surgical equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, plasma surgical devices on the market rely on plasma generated in saline to cut and ablate tissue. Because plasma has a relatively low temperature (around 40°C) during the operation, and it is recommended that the temperature not exceed 60°C during the operation, the degree of thermal damage is small, which is why they are favored by doctors and patients. However, due to the complexity of the surgical environment, local temperature rises are likely to occur when cutting or ablating tissue, which can easily lead to additional thermal damage events.

[0003] For example, when ablation electrodes are used for ablation within a joint, if the temperature inside the joint cavity exceeds 50 degrees Celsius, it may cause irreversible thermal damage to articular cartilage cells due to the high temperature, and destroy the extracellular matrix of the cartilage cells, thereby directly affecting the repair capacity of articular cartilage after thermal damage and affecting the normal physiological function of joint cells. Existing technologies typically add a temperature detection module near the ablation electrode and an indicator light on the handle to provide temperature feedback and alert the doctor. Chinese utility model patent CN213310243U, entitled "Plasma Blade Head," discloses a plasma blade head, including a blade head plug, a blade head handle, and a blade head tip. The blade head plug is used to connect the plasma blade head to an energy supply end, and an indicator light is provided on the blade head plug and / or the blade head handle. A temperature detection module is included at the blade head tip; the temperature detection module is located on the outside of the blade head tip. When the blade head detects that the temperature of the saline solution exceeds the expected value, it alerts or forces appropriate measures to control the temperature rise through an alarm sound or a flashing alarm light.

[0004] While the aforementioned patented plasma ablation head can detect the temperature of saline solution via a light display component, most plasma surgical electrodes are used under endoscopy. During the procedure, the surgeon focuses entirely on the ablation electrode tip on the screen under the endoscope, making it difficult to notice changes in the light on the handle or the alarm sound. Therefore, further improvements to the plasma ablation head are necessary.

[0005] Based on the above issues, the applicant conducted research, which led to this case. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ablation electrode that can provide better temperature feedback to alert the operator.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] An ablation electrode with a temperature indication function includes a handle, one end of which has a plug and the other end has a blade. The front end of the blade has a return electrode, an insulator, and a working electrode. The front end of the blade also has a temperature feedback mechanism. When the temperature exceeds a preset value, the temperature feedback mechanism displays a visually visible signal at the front end of the blade.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the temperature feedback mechanism includes a light guide block, an optical fiber, and a temperature detection module connected to the host signal. The temperature detection module is located at the front end of the blade bar, and a mounting hole is provided on the loop pole. The light guide block is embedded in the mounting hole, and a mounting seat is provided inside the light guide block. The optical fiber is inserted into the mounting seat and located inside the loop pole. One end of the optical fiber is set corresponding to the mounting seat, and the other end is set corresponding to the light source. The light source is electrically connected to the host.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, there are two mounting holes, which are symmetrically arranged radially along the circuit pole.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, an insulating sleeve is provided around the circuit electrode, and the temperature detection module is sandwiched between the insulating sleeve and the circuit electrode.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the temperature detection module is a thermocouple or a thermistor.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the diameter of the temperature detection module is 0.05-0.2 mm.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the surface of the light guide block is flush with the surface of the circuit pole.

[0015] As another preferred embodiment of this utility model, the temperature feedback mechanism is a reversible thermochromic material layer covering the front end of the circuit electrode.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the thermochromic material layer is covered with a transparent sleeve.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the thermochromic material layer is a thermosensitive color-changing material.

[0018] The technical solution of this invention employs a temperature feedback mechanism at the front end of the ablation electrode. When the temperature exceeds a preset value, the temperature feedback mechanism displays a visually visible signal at the front end of the electrode, allowing the doctor to receive a direct visual temperature alert under endoscopy. This serves to indicate the temperature of the fluid or tissue surrounding the ablation area, reducing thermal damage. In the first embodiment of this invention, a temperature detection module detects the temperature at the front end of the electrode. When the temperature exceeds a preset value, the temperature is transmitted to the main unit via the temperature detection module. The main unit controls the light source, which transmits light through an optical fiber to a light guide block. The doctor can directly see the light under endoscopy, thus quickly obtaining the temperature of the fluid or tissue surrounding the ablation area and performing corresponding operations. In another embodiment of this invention, the temperature feedback mechanism uses a thermochromic material. When the temperature exceeds a preset value, the thermochromic material changes color. The doctor can directly observe the color change under endoscopy, thereby alerting the doctor and prompting appropriate operations. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point AA.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the combined structure of the light guide block and optical fiber in the first embodiment of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] Tool holder 1 Handle 2

[0027] Cable 3 Plug 4

[0028] 5 Insulating sleeve 6 Light guide block

[0029] Fiber 7, loop pole 8

[0030] Ceramic 9 Working electrode 10

[0031] Temperature sensing element 11 Temperature sensing sticker 12

[0032] Transparent sleeve 13 Mounting base 14 Detailed Implementation

[0033] To better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the following description is provided in more detail with reference to the embodiments.

[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The ablation electrode of this invention includes a plug 4, a cable 3, a handle 2, and a blade 1. The plug 4 is connected to the handle 2 via the cable 3. The blade 1 is located at the front end of the handle 2, and a temperature feedback mechanism is provided at the front end of the blade 1. In this invention, the front end of the blade 1 is provided with a return electrode 8, an insulator, and a working electrode 10. The insulator is made of ceramic 9.

[0035] The first implementation of the temperature feedback mechanism is: such as Figure 2 He Ru Figure 3 Insert the optical fiber 7 into the light guide block 6 and secure it with adhesive or other reliable means. Specifically, a mounting base 14 is provided on the light guide block 6, and the optical fiber 7 is inserted into the mounting base 14 to form a combination of the optical fiber 7 and the light guide block 6 (e.g., Figure 4 As shown, a hole is made in the 8th circuit electrode, with the hole positioned as close as possible to the front end of the 1st blade. The assembly is inserted into the circuit electrode 8, allowing the light guide block 6 to enter the hole. The light guide block 6 has an overlapping surface that mates with the hole in the circuit electrode 8 to prevent movement. Preferably, the outer surface of the light guide block 6 is flush with the outer surface of the circuit electrode 8. This prevents the ablation electrode from being difficult to insert into the endoscope due to the protruding surface of the light guide block 6, or from being damaged by sharp objects on the endoscope, resulting in serious consequences if fragments fall into the body. The light guide block 6 is further fixed in the hole of the circuit electrode 8 with glue or other reliable methods. Preferably, two holes are made in the circuit electrode 8, each holding one assembly. The two holes are positioned as far as possible on the left and right sides of the circuit electrode 8. This ensures that the light guide block 6 is visible regardless of whether the ablation electrode blade 1 is viewed from the left or right side of the endoscope lens. Other structural methods can combine two light guide blocks 6 into one large light guide block, as long as the light guide block 6 is visible from all angles.

[0036] like Figure 2 and Figure 3A temperature detection module, specifically a temperature sensing element 11, is installed within the insulating sleeve 5. This temperature sensing element 11 needs to be very small to ensure that, after insertion, the insulating sleeve 5 remains tightly fitted to the circuit electrode 8 and can still be smoothly inserted into the endoscope. The temperature sensing element 11 can be glued to the insulating sleeve 5 or clamped between the insulating sleeve 5 and the circuit electrode 8 by heat shrinking the insulating sleeve 5. The diameter of the temperature sensing element 11 is preferably 0.05-0.2 mm, and its tip should be as close as possible to the front end of the blade holder 1, allowing for temperature measurement. This ensures the measured value is closer to the true temperature at the front end, indicating the temperature at the point of ablation. If the temperature is far from the front end of the blade holder 1, it may drop rapidly, failing to accurately indicate the ablation temperature and thus negating the purpose of temperature feedback. The temperature sensing element can be a thermocouple or a thermistor.

[0037] The temperature feedback principle of this embodiment is as follows: Both the optical fiber 7 and the temperature sensing element 11 need to be connected to the handle 2. The temperature sensing element 11 measures the temperature of the front end of the tool holder 1. For example, a thermocouple converts the temperature signal into a difference in electromotive force. Its tail end is electrically connected to the cable 3 in the handle 2. The cable 3 is connected to the host (not shown in the figure) via a plug 4. They feed back the electromotive force difference of the thermocouple to the host. The host processes the signal and then feeds it back to the cable 3. The tail end of the optical fiber 7 faces the light source in the handle 2. The light source is, for example, an LED. The light from the light source is concentrated as much as possible in the optical fiber area. Since light travels along the axial direction of the optical fiber, light transmission in other directions is almost zero. Therefore, the tail end of the optical fiber 7 should be as perpendicular as possible to the light from the light source to ensure maximum light transmission in the optical fiber. The light source is electrically connected to the cable 3. Information fed back from the host is fed back to the light source via the cable 3. The light source responds according to the information set in the host; for example, if the temperature exceeds 50°C, the light source lights up; if it is below 50°C, the light source turns off. The light transmitted from optical fiber 7 is delivered to light guide block 6, which is made of transparent materials such as glass, quartz, PMMA, and PC. Preferably, a reflective layer is attached or coated at corresponding positions on light guide block 6 to refract or reflect the light as much as possible onto its surface. This allows the doctor to observe visual changes on the surface of light guide block 6, such as the light turning on and off or changes in the color of the light, through the endoscope lens. This provides visual indication that the ablation electrode has exceeded its ablation temperature, thus serving as a temperature feedback indicator. The doctor can then cool the temperature by stopping the ablation process or increasing the fluid flow rate.

[0038] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ablation electrode according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The ablation electrode includes a plug 4, a cable 3, a handle 2, and a blade 1.

[0039] Specifically, the temperature feedback mechanism includes a temperature-sensing sticker 12, a transparent sleeve 13 covering the outside of the temperature-sensing sticker 12, the temperature-sensing sticker 12 covering the entire circle of the circuit electrode 8, the side of the temperature-sensing sticker 12 near the circuit electrode 8 having adhesive on it, so that it can be tightly attached to the outside of the circuit electrode 8, the transparent sleeve 7 can be heat-shrinkable at high temperatures, so that it can be tightly shrunken to the outside of the temperature-sensing sticker 12 after heating, or transparent adhesive or other reliable connection methods can be applied between the transparent sleeve 7 and the temperature-sensing sticker 12.

[0040] The temperature-sensitive sticker 12 contains a reversible thermochromic material, which can be purchased commercially. For example, the thermochromic material has a color-changing temperature of 50°C; it is colorless below 50°C and red above 50°C. When the doctor sees the color indication, they stop activating the ablation electrode. Once the temperature drops below 50°C, the color of the temperature-sensitive sticker 12 returns to colorless. The thermochromic material can be transferred onto the substrate material of the temperature-sensitive sticker 12 using thermochromic ink. In the second embodiment of this invention, the temperature-sensitive sticker 12 is directly applied and protected by a transparent sleeve 13. This method is simple in structure, low in cost, and easy to manufacture.

[0041] This invention adds a temperature feedback mechanism to the tip of the ablation electrode, allowing doctors to visually receive temperature prompts under endoscopy. This serves to indicate abnormal temperatures in the fluid or tissue surrounding the ablation area, thereby reducing thermal damage.

[0042] The scope of protection of this utility model is not limited to this embodiment. Any similar modifications made to it are considered to be within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An ablation electrode with a temperature indication function, comprising a handle, a plug at one end of the handle, a blade at the other end, and a return electrode, an insulator, and a working electrode at the front end of the blade, characterized in that: The front end of the tool holder is also provided with a temperature feedback mechanism. When the temperature exceeds a preset value, the temperature feedback mechanism displays a visually visible signal at the front end of the tool holder.

2. The ablation electrode with temperature indication function as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature feedback mechanism includes a light guide block, an optical fiber, and a temperature detection module connected to the host signal. The temperature detection module is located at the front end of the tool bar and has a mounting hole on the loop pole. The light guide block is embedded in the mounting hole and has a mounting seat inside. The optical fiber is inserted into the mounting seat and is located inside the loop pole. One end of the optical fiber corresponds to the mounting seat and the other end corresponds to the light source. The light source is electrically connected to the host.

3. The ablation electrode with temperature indication function as described in claim 2, characterized in that: There are two mounting holes, which are arranged symmetrically along the radial direction of the circuit pole.

4. The ablation electrode with temperature indication function as described in claim 3, characterized in that: An insulating sleeve is provided around the circuit electrode, and the temperature detection module is sandwiched between the insulating sleeve and the circuit electrode.

5. The ablation electrode with temperature indication function as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The temperature detection module is a thermocouple or a thermistor.

6. The ablation electrode with temperature indication function as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The diameter of the temperature detection module is 0.05-0.2mm.

7. The ablation electrode with temperature indication function as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The surface of the light guide block is flush with the surface of the circuit pole.

8. The ablation electrode with temperature indication function as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature feedback mechanism is a reversible thermochromic material layer covering the front end of the circuit electrode.

9. The ablation electrode with temperature indication function as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The thermochromic material layer is covered with a transparent sleeve.

10. The ablation electrode with temperature indication function as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The thermochromic material layer is a thermosensitive color-changing material.

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