Angled Electrode Electrosurgical Tip for Precise Tissue Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical devices face challenges in accessing tight and deep areas like the hip joint during arthroscopic procedures, leading to difficulties in precise and localized tissue separation, which is crucial for minimizing tissue loss and preserving anatomical structures.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical device with a steerable or bendable shaft and a unique electrode configuration, including a return electrode, active electrode, and an insulative spacer, allows for precise tissue dissection and debulking by orienting the active electrode to minimize energy flow through tissue, using a longer insulative spacer to shield adjacent tissue and provide stability during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional electrosurgical device with orthogonal electrode configuration is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to access tight and deep areas like the hip joint is limited and precise tissue separation is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is made steerable or bendable rather than rigid and straight, allowing it to dynamically adapt to tight and deep anatomical areas like the hip joint while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The active electrode is configured with a non-orthogonal angle relative to the longitudinal axis, creating an asymmetric geometry that enables precise tissue separation and localized energy delivery without requiring complex multi-component systems
2Manufacturing precision
If the active electrode is oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis, then the device structure is simple, but precise and localized tissue separation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The active electrode is deliberately configured at a non-orthogonal angle to the longitudinal axis, creating an asymmetric geometry that focuses energy delivery to specific tissue regions and enables precise separation while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The angled active electrode configuration concentrates electrosurgical energy to specific local areas of tissue, providing localized precision for tissue separation and debulking without requiring complex focusing mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a shorter insulative spacer is used, then the device structure is simpler, but adjacent tissue cannot be adequately shielded and stability during procedures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insulative spacer acts as an intermediary element between the active and return electrodes, providing electrical insulation and mechanical stability. The extended length ensures adequate shielding of adjacent tissue from harmful electrical fields while maintaining device simplicity through a single-component design
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
The device enables precise and localized tissue separation with minimal tissue alteration, improving access and reducing the reliance on surgeon skill, particularly in challenging anatomical regions like the hip joint.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically insulative spacer axially separating the return and active electrode
Implementation Method 2
apparatus and methods for applying high frequency voltage to treat tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an electrosurgical device including a handle at a proximal end and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle and extending distally from the handle. The device also includes a distal working end, including a return electrode and an active electrode supported by an insulative spacer, the insulative spacer separating the return and active electrode. The active electrode has a planar surface that is distal facing and defines a maximum planar surface length. The insulative spacer is generally tapered between the return electrode and active electrode. The insulative spacer has a planar stabilizing surface on a device first side that has a length that extends along the longitudinal axis, extending from a distal-most end of the return electrode to a leading edge surface of the active electrode. This length is at least as long as the maximum planar surface length.