Arthroscopic Tissue Treatment Device with Rotating Inner Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical tools require multiple devices and reconfigurations for various tissue cutting and treatment modalities, lacking efficient device identification and operational control, particularly in arthroscopic procedures.

Innovation Solution

A multi-functional tissue treatment device with a shaft assembly comprising an outer and inner sleeve, where the inner sleeve is rotatably driven to perform mechanical and electrosurgical cutting, coagulation, and ablation, integrated with a motor and RF source, allowing for various treatment modes without device exchange, and featuring a controller for precise operational control and device identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate devices are used for different tissue treatment modalities (mechanical cutting, electrosurgical cutting, coagulation, ablation), then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases and requires multiple device exchanges during surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliability of each treatment modalityVSAvoidnumber of devices and reconfigurations required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple treatment modalities (mechanical cutting, electrosurgical cutting, coagulation, and ablation) into a single integrated arthroscopic device. The device incorporates both a rotating cutting element for mechanical tissue removal and an RF electrode for electrosurgical functions, allowing all treatments to be performed without device exchanges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The arthroscopic device is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple tissue treatment modalities through a single device. The cutting element can operate in mechanical cutting mode, while the RF electrode provides electrosurgical cutting, coagulation, and ablation capabilities, making the device adaptable to various surgical needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a single multi-functional device is used to reduce device exchanges, then surgical efficiency improves, but the device structure becomes more complex requiring integrated motor and RF systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiency through reduced device exchangesVSAvoidintegration of motor drive and RF source components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges the motor drive system for rotating the cutting element with the RF source for electrosurgical functions into a single integrated unit. Both systems share common components such as the handpiece, control unit, and power supply, reducing the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining full functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable tool probes are used to provide diverse functionalities, then flexibility increases, but the need for correct device identification and parameter matching becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of tool system functionalitiesVSAvoiddevice identification and parameter control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit incorporates device identification capabilities that automatically recognize the attached tool probe and retrieve its specific operational parameters from stored data. This feedback mechanism ensures correct parameter matching without requiring manual configuration, reducing the complexity of managing interchangeable tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 performing multiple tissue treatment modalities with a single device, reducing the need for multiple tools, enhancing surgical efficiency and precision through controlled operational modes and device identification.

Implementation Method 1

The inner and outer cutting windows have inner and outer cutting edges which are disposed to close together, typically to pass each other in a shearing motion, as the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the outer sleeve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 2

A distal portion of the inner sleeve forms an RF electrode... the tissue treatment devices can perform a variety of tissue cutting, resecting, coagulation, and other mechanical and electrosurgical procedures by selectively driving and powering the device components and delivering RF for other electrical energy to electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11723681B2Arthroscopic devices and methods

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 RELIGN CORP

AI summary

A tissue treatment device has a shaft assembly including an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is co-axially and rotatably received in an axial passageway in the outer sleeve. A dielectric housing has an outer cutting window forming a distal portion of the outer sleeve, and a distal portion of the inner sleeve forms an RF electrode and has an inner cutting window formed therein. The outer and inner cutting windows have outer and inner cutting edges disposed to close together as the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the outer sleeve.