Bipolar RF Electro-Surgical Instrument for Spinal Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical treatments for spinal disorders often face challenges with excessive bleeding during procedures, which can complicate the removal of spinal tissue and impact the effectiveness of treatments like posterior longitudinal ligament resection and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electro-surgical instrument with radiofrequency (RF) ablation capabilities, which includes a bipolar configuration with electrodes that can ablate, cut, and coagulate spinal tissue, reducing bleeding by cauterizing the cut tissue and using a rongeur instrument to manage venous bleeding, along with disc removal curettes for mechanical cutting and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical cutting instruments are used to remove spinal tissue, then tissue removal is achieved, but excessive bleeding occurs during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cutting and coagulation functions into a single electro-surgical instrument. The instrument integrates a cutting electrode and a return electrode that work together to simultaneously cut spinal tissue and coagulate blood vessels, eliminating the need for separate cutting and hemostasis instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-surgical instrument performs multiple functions: cutting spinal tissue, coagulating blood vessels to reduce bleeding, and ablatting tissue. This multi-functional approach replaces traditional separate instruments for cutting and hemostasis, directly addressing the bleeding problem while maintaining tissue removal efficiency.
2Productivity
If traditional surgical instruments are used for spinal tissue resection, then tissue removal is achieved, but surgical precision is reduced due to bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument merges cutting and coagulation capabilities into one device, allowing surgeons to perform precise tissue resection while simultaneously controlling bleeding at the cut site. This eliminates the visual obstruction and interference caused by bleeding, thereby maintaining surgical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cutting instruments with an electro-surgical instrument that uses electrical energy for cutting and coagulation. This substitution enables more precise control over the cutting process and simultaneous hemostasis, improving surgical precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate instruments are used for cutting and coagulation, then comprehensive treatment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (cutting, coagulation, ablation) into a single integrated electro-surgical instrument with two electrodes. This reduces the number of separate instruments needed while maintaining comprehensive treatment capabilities, thereby simplifying the overall surgical workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-surgical instrument is designed to perform multiple surgical functions through its bipolar electrode configuration. The first electrode and second return electrode work together to provide cutting, coagulation, and ablation capabilities, replacing multiple specialized instruments with one versatile device.
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 RF ablation instrument effectively reduces excessive bleeding during spinal surgeries, enhancing the precision and efficiency of procedures such as PLL resection and ACDF by simultaneously cutting and coagulating spinal tissue, thereby improving surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The ends define a spinal tissue cavity and are relatively translatable to selectively adjust the cavity such that the electrodes are oriented to ablate, cut and/or coagulate spinal tissue
Implementation Method 2
the electrodes are oriented to ablate, cut and/or coagulate spinal tissue
Implementation Method 3
an electro-surgical instrument with radiofrequency (RF) ablation capabilities, which includes a bipolar configuration with electrodes that can ablate, cut, and coagulate spinal tissue, reducing bleeding by cauterizing the cut tissue
Implementation Method 4
the electrodes are oriented to ablate, cut and/or coagulate spinal tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-surgical instrument includes a first member extending to an end having a first electrode. A second member extends to an end having a second return electrode. The ends define a spinal tissue cavity and are relatively translatable to selectively adjust the cavity such that the electrodes are oriented to ablate, cut and/or coagulate spinal tissue. Systems and methods are disclosed.