Adjustable High Frequency Electrode with Removable Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high frequency electrode systems for pain and neurological treatments are complex, expensive, and inefficient due to rigid, straight cannulas, multiple components, and continuous tip length adjustments, which increase surgery time and complexity, and are poorly suited for percutaneous insertion near the spine or into tumors.
Innovation Solution
A high frequency electrode system with a rigid shaft and a semi-rigid or flexible insulating sleeve that allows adjustable, discrete exposure of the electrode tip, enabling self-supported penetration and variable tip lengths for specific clinical needs, using a single cannula with interchangeable sleeves or removable insulation bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid, straight metal tubing cannula with fixed insulating coating is used, then the electrode system provides structural stability and insulation, but the overall diameter increases and the heating region decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating coating is segmented into removable sections, allowing the insulation to be selectively removed to expose electrode surface area. This segmentation enables the heating region to be increased without changing the overall cannula structure, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and heating region area.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating coating is extracted or removed from specific portions of the cannula to create uninsulated heating regions. This extraction allows the electrode surface area to be increased for greater heating capability while maintaining the rigid cannula structure for stability.
2Reliability
If an insulating coating is fixed to the metal tubing cannula, then the cannula provides electrical insulation, but the overall diameter of the cannula increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating coating is divided into discrete, removable segments rather than a continuous fixed coating. This allows the insulation to be applied only where needed and removed where electrode exposure is required, reducing the overall diameter in active heating regions while maintaining insulation reliability in protected regions.
3Ease of operation
If the RF electrode is of smaller diameter than the outside insulated cannula, then the electrode can be inserted into the cannula, but the heating region of the electrode system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating coating is segmented and removed from the outer cannula surface to create heating regions that extend the effective electrode surface area. This allows the heating region to be increased without requiring a larger electrode diameter, maintaining ease of insertion while expanding the therapeutic heating zone.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (insulated cannula, stylet, electrode) are used, then the system provides functional versatility, but the device complexity and surgery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode and cannula are merged into a single integrated structure where the electrode forms the core of the cannula. The insulating coating is applied directly to the cannula rather than being a separate component. This merging reduces the number of discrete components while maintaining functional versatility through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single integrated cannula-electrode structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, electrical insulation, and heating capability. The removable insulating segments allow the same structure to function as both an insulated conduit and an exposed electrode, eliminating the need for separate stylets and electrodes.
5Adaptability or versatility
If continuous tip length adjustment with a setscrew is used, then the electrode tip exposure can be varied, but the surgery time and surgeon attention required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating coating is divided into discrete removable segments of predetermined lengths. Instead of continuous adjustment requiring deliberate surgeon attention, the segments can be quickly removed or left in place to provide predetermined tip exposures, significantly reducing adjustment time and surgical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating segments are designed to be easily removed and discarded to expose the electrode tip. This discarding of insulation segments provides quick, predetermined tip length adjustment without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms or significant surgeon time.
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 system simplifies the electrode design, reduces costs, and allows for flexible and precise adjustment of the electrode tip exposure, enabling effective treatment of spinal nerves, cancerous tumors, and neural structures with reduced complexity and increased efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A high frequency signal applied to the uninsulated electrode tip heats a region of the target tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for application of an electrical signal to neural and other target tissue in the living body.