Bipolar Endoscopic Electrodes for Localized Haemostasis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current endoscopic techniques for achieving haemostasis in the gastrointestinal tract often cause damage to adjacent tissue and lack effectiveness in reducing re-bleeding from peptic ulcers and other GI bleeding causes.

Innovation Solution

A bipolar surgical device with pivotally connected elongated electrodes that can transition from a coaxial to a perpendicular configuration, allowing for precise tissue grasping and bipolar electrical energy application, minimizing tissue damage and optimizing coagulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If invasive surgery or traditional endoscopic techniques are used to achieve haemostasis, then bleeding can be stopped, but damage to adjacent tissue occurs and re-bleeding risk remains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaemostasis effectivenessVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bipolar electrode device concentrates electrical energy application to a localized area between the two electrodes, delivering coagulation effect precisely where needed while leaving surrounding tissue unaffected. The parallel electrode configuration ensures energy is confined to the inter-electrode space, achieving localised haemostasis without collateral damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs movable electrodes that can be dynamically positioned and adjusted during the procedure. The electrodes can move from a retracted state to an extended grasping position, allowing dynamic adaptation to different tissue targets and enabling precise control of the treatment area to minimize damage to adjacent structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If traditional endoscopic haemostasis techniques are used, then bleeding can be addressed, but effectiveness in reducing re-bleeding is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-bleeding reductionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges mechanical tissue grasping functionality with bipolar electrocautery capability into a single integrated system. The electrodes serve dual purposes: mechanically securing the tissue through grasping and simultaneously delivering coagulation energy, ensuring both mechanical stabilization and thermal coagulation for reduced re-bleeding risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bipolar electrode device performs multiple functions: tissue grasping, tissue compression (mechanical tamponade), and bipolar coagulation. This multi-functional approach ensures comprehensive haemostasis through combined mechanical and thermal mechanisms, improving reliability while managing device complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If bipolar electrocautery is applied to achieve haemostasis, then coagulation can be achieved, but the coagulation area may extend beyond the target site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoagulation effectivenessVSAvoidcoagulation area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The parallel electrode configuration creates a well-defined electric field confined between the two electrodes, ensuring that coagulation occurs only in the inter-electrode space. This geometric arrangement naturally limits the coagulation area to the target site, preventing energy dispersion to adjacent tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary mechanical grasping and compression of the tissue before applying electrical energy. This pre-positioning and stabilization of the tissue ensures that when coagulation energy is applied, it remains confined to the intended target area, preventing spread to surrounding structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides improved haemostasis with reduced tissue damage by allowing controlled application of bipolar electrical energy and mechanical tamponade, limiting the coagulation area to the target site and reducing re-bleeding risks.

Implementation Method 1

bipolar electrocautery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS7549991B2Bipolar endoscopic device with parallel electrodes for endoluminal and transluminal haemostasis

Publication Date: 2009.06.23 ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC

AI summary

A surgical device including a shaft defining an axis and having a distal end and a proximal end, a first elongated electrode pivotally connected to the distal end of the shaft and deployable from a first configuration, wherein the first electrode is generally coaxially aligned with the axis, to a second configuration, wherein the first electrode is generally perpendicular relative to the axis, and a second elongated electrode pivotally connected to the distal end of the shaft and deployable from a first configuration, wherein the second electrode is generally coaxially aligned with the axis, to a second configuration, wherein the second electrode is generally perpendicular relative to the axis, wherein the first elongated electrode is adapted to extend radially relative to the second elongated electrode.