Bipolar Electrosurgical Scraper Integrating Tissue Separation and Coagulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical procedures for scoliosis treatment involve significant blood loss due to the need to switch between multiple instruments for tissue separation and hemostasis, prolonging surgical time and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A bipolar electrosurgical scraper device with a beveled distal end featuring two electrodes and a fluid passage for simultaneous tissue separation and coagulation, reducing the need for multiple instruments and minimizing blood loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple instruments are used for tissue separation and hemostasis, then tissue separation effectiveness is improved, but surgical time increases and blood loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue separation effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines tissue separation and hemostasis functions into a single instrument by integrating a scraping edge for tissue separation with bipolar electrosurgical electrodes for coagulation. This merging eliminates the need to switch between separate instruments, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining effective tissue separation and simultaneous blood loss control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a scraper for tissue separation and as an electrosurgical device for hemostasis. The blade portion performs mechanical tissue separation while the bipolar electrodes provide electrical coagulation, allowing one instrument to fulfill multiple surgical needs that previously required separate tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple instruments are used for tissue separation and hemostasis, then tissue separation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue separation effectivenessVSAvoidinstrument complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using multiple separate instruments, the patent merges tissue separation and hemostasis capabilities into a single integrated device. This reduces the overall complexity of the surgical setup by eliminating the need to manage multiple instruments while maintaining the effectiveness of both functions through careful design of the combined structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple instruments are used for tissue separation and hemostasis, then tissue separation effectiveness is improved, but blood loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue separation effectivenessVSAvoidblood loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of tissue separation and hemostasis functions in one instrument allows for immediate coagulation of vessels as tissue is being separated. The bipolar electrodes are positioned to provide simultaneous hemostatic control during the scraping action, preventing blood loss that would otherwise occur when using separate instruments with a time delay between separation and coagulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument enables continuous simultaneous action of tissue separation and hemostasis. As the scraping edge removes tissue, the bipolar electrodes continuously apply coagulation energy to control bleeding at the same location, ensuring uninterrupted hemostatic protection throughout the tissue separation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful 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 enables efficient tissue separation from bone while controlling bleeding, potentially reducing surgical time and blood loss by integrating scraping and coagulation functions into a single instrument.

Implementation Method 1

a bipolar electrosurgical scraper device... with the first electrode and the second electrode provided along a width of the blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

treated to reduce blood loss with a second instrument, typically an electrosurgical monopolar (Bovie) pencil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrosurgical coagulation: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8075557B2Fluid-assisted medical devices and methods

Publication Date: 2011.12.13 MEDTRONIC ADVANCED ENERGY LLC

AI summary

A bipolar electrosurgical scraper device is provided comprising a handle, a blade having a thickness and a beveled distal end with the beveled distal end terminating distally in a scraping edge. The beveled distal end includes a first electrode and a second electrode with the first electrode and the second electrode provided along a width of the blade and spaced apart with respect to the thickness of the blade. The device also comprises a fluid passage at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid passage.