Bipolar Electrosurgical Probe for Track Coagulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrosurgical devices face challenges in preventing tumor seeding when withdrawing probes through bone tissue, as existing methods struggle with consistent coagulation due to varying electrical properties of bone and unpredictability in energy delivery.
Innovation Solution
The use of a bipolar electrosurgical probe with active and return electrodes on a single shaft, delivering energy in a bipolar manner to heat tissue to a temperature sufficient for thermal coagulation necrosis, while withdrawing the probe through a path that includes bone tissue, with incremental or continuous withdrawal and temperature monitoring to ensure effective coagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a monopolar probe is used for tissue ablation and withdrawal, then the procedure is simpler, but tumor seeding risk increases due to inconsistent coagulation through bone tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure is divided into two distinct phases: (1) tumor ablation phase where the probe delivers energy to destroy the tumor, and (2) track coagulation phase where the probe is withdrawn incrementally while delivering energy to coagulate tissue along the path. This segmentation ensures that each phase optimizes for its specific goal, preventing tumor seeding during withdrawal while maintaining procedural effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Before withdrawing the probe, the system performs preliminary coagulation by delivering energy to heat tissue along the intended withdrawal path to coagulation temperatures. This preliminary action seals the track ahead of the probe, preventing tumor cells from seeding along the withdrawal path through bone tissue.
2Reliability
If energy is delivered at high power to ensure coagulation through bone, then coagulation effectiveness improves, but risk of probe overheating and unintended tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors tissue temperature during probe withdrawal and adjusts energy delivery in real-time based on temperature feedback. When tissue reaches coagulation temperature, the system automatically reduces or stops energy delivery, preventing probe overheating and unintended damage to surrounding structures. This closed-loop control ensures effective coagulation while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe withdrawal process is made dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The system adjusts withdrawal speed, energy power level, and pulse duration based on real-time tissue temperature measurements and bone density variations. This dynamic approach allows the probe to deliver sufficient energy for coagulation through challenging bone tissue while automatically reducing power when tissue reaches target temperature, preventing overheating.
3Productivity
If the probe is withdrawn quickly to reduce procedure time, then productivity improves, but coagulation completeness decreases allowing tumor seeding
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous energy delivery during probe withdrawal, ensuring that coagulation action is uninterrupted along the entire withdrawal path. Energy is delivered continuously at adjusted power levels to maintain tissue temperature at coagulation threshold, ensuring complete track sealing even during rapid withdrawal, thereby preventing tumor seeding while maintaining procedural efficiency.
4Reliability
If incremental withdrawal with temperature monitoring is used to ensure complete coagulation, then tumor seeding prevention improves, but procedure time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies energy at slightly excessive levels initially to ensure complete coagulation coverage, then reduces power as tissue reaches target temperature. The probe is withdrawn in incremental steps with temperature monitoring, but the system optimizes by adjusting energy delivery to match actual tissue conditions, preventing both under-coagulation and unnecessary prolonged exposure. This approach ensures reliable tumor seeding prevention while minimizing unnecessary procedure time.
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 method effectively prevents tumor seeding by ensuring consistent thermal coagulation necrosis of cells along the probe's path, even through challenging anatomies like bone tissue, with predictable energy flow and controlled temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
delivering energy in a bipolar manner from the probe to heat tissue surrounding the probe to a temperature sufficient for thermal coagulation necrosis of cells
Implementation Method 2
heat tissue surrounding the probe to a temperature sufficient for thermal coagulation necrosis of cells
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed for preventing tumor seeding when withdrawing the device along an entry-exit path. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of withdrawing a probe through a tissue via a path that traverses at least some bone tissue, the method including withdrawing the probe through the path, and at least partially concurrently delivering energy in a bipolar manner from the probe to heat a layer of tissue surrounding the probe to a temperature sufficient for thermal coagulation necrosis of cells. The device may be withdrawn incrementally.