Bipolar Electrosurgical Device with Dynamic Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices face issues such as tissue desiccation, electrode sticking, smoke production, and char formation due to dry tip electrosurgical methods, and fluid-assisted devices often require longer treatment times due to excessive saline use, which is undesirable for quick surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical apparatus that delivers controlled radio-frequency power and fluid to the tissue, with a pump and control system that adjusts fluid flow based on the radio-frequency power level, and a bipolar device with a disc-shaped distal end featuring semi-circular electrodes and a fluid delivery system to prevent undesirable effects while ensuring efficient tissue treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fluid-assisted electrosurgical devices use saline to inhibit tissue desiccation, electrode sticking, smoke production and char formation, then these undesirable effects are reduced, but too much saline provides too much electrical dispersion and cooling at the electrode-tissue interface, reducing tissue temperature and extending treatment time
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors tissue temperature and adjusts fluid flow rate dynamically based on real-time temperature feedback. When tissue temperature approaches the target range, the system automatically reduces fluid flow to minimize cooling effects and electrical dispersion, thereby maintaining effective treatment temperature while preventing the harmful effects of excessive saline application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fluid delivery to dynamic fluid delivery, where fluid flow rate is continuously adjusted during the procedure based on tissue temperature, power level, and treatment stage. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between preventing harmful effects and maintaining effective treatment temperature throughout the procedure.
2Device complexity
If dry tip electrosurgical devices are used to treat tissue, then treatment can be performed without fluid delivery systems, but the temperature of tissue being treated rises significantly higher than 100° Celsius, resulting in tissue desiccation, tissue sticking to the electrodes, tissue perforation, char formation and smoke generation
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces fluid as an intermediary substance between the electrode and tissue, which mediates the interaction by providing electrical coupling while preventing direct contact between the electrode and tissue surface. This intermediary layer eliminates electrode sticking and reduces char formation while allowing controlled energy delivery to the tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical and chemical parameters of the interaction interface by introducing controlled amounts of fluid that modify electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and surface tension at the electrode-tissue interface. These parameter changes enable safe and effective energy delivery while preventing harmful effects.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If controlled fluid flow is increased to prevent tissue desiccation and maintain temperature, then harmful effects are reduced, but excessive fluid causes electrical dispersion that reduces the effectiveness of radio-frequency power delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses real-time monitoring of tissue temperature and power delivery effectiveness to dynamically adjust fluid flow rate. When electrical dispersion is detected through temperature rise rate analysis, the system automatically reduces fluid flow to optimize radio-frequency power delivery effectiveness while still preventing tissue desiccation.
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 solution effectively prevents tissue desiccation, electrode sticking, and smoke production while maintaining efficient tissue heating, reducing treatment time and blood loss during surgical procedures, thus improving surgical efficiency and reducing complications.
Implementation Method 1
A dry tip electrosurgical device, such as a Bovie pencil, can cause the temperature of tissue being treated to rise significantly higher than 100° Celsius
Implementation Method 2
fluid-assisted electrosurgical devices have been developed which use saline to inhibit undesirable effects such as tissue desiccation, electrode sticking, smoke production and char formation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides surgical devices and methods to treat tissue. In one device embodiment, the invention comprises a bipolar electrosurgical device to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency power and a fluid provided simultaneously from a distal portion of the device, with the device comprising a disc shaped distal end. In one method embodiment, the invention comprises a method of treating tissue having a blood vessel during spine surgery, with the method comprising pressing a portion of the blood vessel against a supporting spine structure with a surgical device to provide a compressed portion of the blood vessel, and heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel with the surgical device sufficiently to inhibit a blood flow through the vessel after the surgical device is removed from the blood vessel.