Bipolar Cutter Electrode Segmentation for Hemostasis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic surgical instruments face challenges in sufficiently incising and coagulating blood vessels, leading to bleeding issues during procedures like cardiovascular bypass surgery.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a bipolar cutter with a unique arrangement of voltage application electrodes on the cutter apparatus, including a smaller exposed electrode and two larger electrodes on either side, which allows for simultaneous incision and coagulation by controlling current flow, ensuring effective cutting and hemostasis without the need for separate instruments for incision and coagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single bipolar cutter is used for both incision and coagulation, then device complexity is reduced, but the effectiveness of incision and coagulation is insufficient leading to bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar cutter is divided into multiple electrode sections (first electrode, second electrode, third electrode) with different exposed areas. The first electrode has a smaller exposed area for precise incision, while the second and third electrodes have larger exposed areas for effective coagulation. This segmentation allows each electrode to specialize in a specific function, resolving the contradiction between using a single instrument and achieving effective hemostasis.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the bipolar cutter are designed with different electrode configurations to perform different functions at different locations. The first electrode is positioned and sized for incision at a specific location, while the second and third electrodes are positioned and sized for coagulation at other locations. This local differentiation enables the single instrument to effectively perform both incision and coagulation functions.
2Reliability
If multiple electrodes with different exposed areas are used, then incision and coagulation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrode sections with different exposed areas are merged into a single bipolar cutter apparatus. The first electrode, second electrode, and third electrode are integrated into one device, allowing simultaneous or sequential use of different electrode configurations for incision and coagulation without requiring separate instruments, thus managing complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The bipolar cutter is designed as a universal instrument that can perform both incision and coagulation functions through its multiple electrode sections. By incorporating electrodes with different exposed areas that can be selectively activated, the device achieves multi-functionality, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.
3Reliability
If separate instruments are used for incision and coagulation, then functional effectiveness is improved, but surgical time and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The functions of separate incision and coagulation instruments are merged into a single bipolar cutter with multiple electrode sections. This allows the surgeon to perform both incision and coagulation with one instrument, eliminating the time required to switch between instruments and reducing overall surgical time while maintaining functional effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The bipolar cutter is designed as a universal surgical instrument capable of performing multiple functions (incision and coagulation) through its different electrode sections. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for instrument changes during surgery, directly addressing the time loss associated with using separate specialized instruments.
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 configuration enables efficient and effective incision and coagulation of blood vessels, reducing bleeding and shortening surgical time by allowing both functions to be performed with a single instrument, even in narrow body cavities.
Implementation Method 1
When the bipolar cutter moves forward, an electric discharge occurs between the two electrodes to coagulate and cut side branches entering the groove while stopping bleeding
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An endoscopic surgical instrument (41) includes an insertion section (42) which is inserted into a body cavity, and a surgical section (43) which is disposed on a tip end of the insertion section (42) and treats an object. The surgical section (43) includes a body section (431), and a first electrode (433), a second electrode (435), and a third electrode (437) which are disposed on the body section (431). The surgical section (43) coagulates and cuts the object by using a combination of not less than two of the first electrode (433), the second electrode (435), and the third electrode (437).