Bipolar Electrosurgical Probe Insulated Overlapping Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bipolar electrosurgical probes face issues with strength and durability due to flexible insulation members, which can buckle or kink under forces encountered during procedures, compromising the structural integrity and accuracy of tissue ablation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates tubular electrodes with varying wall thicknesses and insulation members disposed between their overlapping ends or within lumens, using injection-molded resin or adhesive to enhance structural support and prevent bending or kinking, while maintaining small electrode dimensions for minimal tissue trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the gauge or size of electrodes is minimized to reduce tissue trauma, then tissue trauma is reduced, but the insulation member becomes weaker and more prone to buckling or kinking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metal electrodes with a polymer insulation member. The insulation member is formed from a polymer material that provides both electrical insulation and mechanical strength. This composite approach allows the thin-walled electrodes to maintain structural integrity while minimizing tissue trauma, as the polymer material compensates for the reduced mechanical strength of thinner walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies varying wall thicknesses at different locations of the electrodes. The distal portions of the electrodes have thinner walls to minimize tissue trauma during insertion and ablation, while the proximal portions have thicker walls to provide structural strength and resist buckling or kinking during probe manipulation. This local variation in wall thickness optimizes both tissue interaction and mechanical durability.
2Ease of operation
If the insulation member is made flexible to facilitate probe placement and removal, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates causing buckling or kinking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the insulation member by selecting a polymer material with specific mechanical properties. The polymer is chosen to have sufficient flexibility to allow probe placement and removal while maintaining adequate structural integrity to resist buckling or kinking. The material parameters such as elasticity modulus, tensile strength, and flexibility are optimized to balance ease of operation with structural stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wall thickness of electrodes is reduced to minimize tissue trauma, then tissue trauma is reduced, but the probe becomes more susceptible to buckling or kinking under force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite construction where the polymer insulation member provides mechanical reinforcement to the thin metal electrode walls. The combination of metal and polymer materials creates a structure that is both thin enough to minimize tissue trauma and strong enough to resist buckling or kinking under the forces encountered during insertion, manipulation, and removal of the probe.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the electrode structure into multiple segments with different wall thicknesses along its length. The distal segments have thinner walls for minimal tissue trauma during ablation, while the proximal segments have thicker walls to provide structural support and resistance to buckling or kinking during probe insertion and manipulation. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function.
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 enhanced structural integrity of the probes allows for effective application of RF energy with reduced trauma to surrounding tissue, facilitating easier and more flexible positioning and withdrawal during ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation member, at least a portion of which is disposed between overlapping ends of the first and second tubular electrodes
Implementation Method 2
RF ablation occurs as a result of a high frequency alternating current (AC) flowing from the tip of an electrode through the surrounding tissue. Ionic agitation is produced in the tissue around the electrode tip as the ions attempt to follow the change in direction of the alternating current. This ionic agitation creates frictional heating and necrosis of the tissue around the electrode.
Implementation Method 3
This ionic agitation creates frictional heating and necrosis of the tissue around the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A bipolar electrosurgical probe configured for applying electrical energy to tissue includes a first tubular electrode carried by a probe shaft and having a distal end, a second tubular electrode carried by the probe shaft and having a proximal end, and an insulation member, wherein at least a portion of the insulation member is disposed between overlapping ends of the first and second tubular electrodes, wherein the distal end of the first electrode defines at least one aperture extending through a wall of the first electrode.