Bipolar Snare with Insulated Loop Sections for HF Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bipolar snares for endoscopic removal of pathological tissues in the gastrointestinal tract face challenges with electrical insulation distances, high HF voltage requirements, and inefficiencies in removing large polyps or mucosa/submucosa areas, leading to complications like bleeding and perforations, and are limited to removing tissues up to 2 cm in diameter.
Innovation Solution
The method involves operating bipolar snares in both monopolar and bipolar modes, allowing for the connection of one or both loop sections to the HF generator's poles, enabling the use of a neutral electrode for monopolar operation, which reduces the electrical stress on insulation and allows for the removal of larger tissue areas by adjusting the active electrode configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If bipolar snares are used with electrical insulation between loop sections, then thermal damage to collateral tissue is reduced, but the electrical insulation distances must withstand high voltage amplitudes of at least 400 V which is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar snare is divided into two electrically insulated loop sections (proximal and distal) that can be independently connected to opposite poles of the HF generator. This segmentation allows the current to flow through the target tissue between the two sections while maintaining electrical insulation, thereby reducing thermal damage to collateral tissue beyond the treatment zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical insulation layer as an intermediary between the two loop sections. This insulator mediates the electrical relationship by allowing each section to be independently connected to different poles of the HF generator while preventing direct current flow between sections through the instrument structure, enabling safe bipolar operation.
2Device complexity
If monopolar loops are used for HF surgical removal, then simpler instrument design is achieved, but uncontrolled HF current flow causes thermal damage to collateral tissue
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a monopolar configuration with a neutral electrode that requires HF current to flow through the patient's body, the patent inverts the approach by using bipolar configuration where current flows locally between two active loop sections. This reversal of the electrical configuration confines the current path to the target tissue area, eliminating uncontrolled current flow and thermal damage to distant collateral tissue.
3Productivity
If bipolar snares are used for removing large polyps or mucosa/submucosa areas, then complete removal can be achieved, but high HF voltage requirements and electrical insulation challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar snare design provides multi-functionality by enabling both bipolar operation (for precise cutting with reduced collateral damage) and monopolar operation (for coagulation and hemostasis). The same instrument with its two insulated loop sections can be connected in different configurations to the HF generator, allowing versatile treatment of various tissue sizes and types without requiring multiple specialized instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of the electrical connections between the two loop sections and the HF generator. The system can switch between bipolar mode (each section connected to opposite poles for cutting) and monopolar mode (one section connected to active pole, other to neutral for coagulation), providing adaptability for different surgical requirements and tissue characteristics.
4Reliability
If bipolar operation is used, then thermal hemostasis is improved, but the HF current flow between two loop sections requires precise electrical insulation distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film insulation layers between the two loop sections that provide sufficient electrical insulation for bipolar operation. These flexible insulating films maintain the required electrical isolation while allowing the loop sections to be positioned close together for effective tissue engagement, solving the conflict between maintaining small insulation distances and preventing electrical breakdown.
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 approach enables the safe and complete removal of larger polyps or mucosa/submucosa areas without incision delays or thermal damage, reducing complications and improving the effectiveness of coagulation and hemostasis, while also simplifying the handling of the electrosurgical instrument.
Implementation Method 1
the HF current flows predominantly between the two loop sections through the tissue located between these loop sections
Implementation Method 2
HF surgical removal of target tissues
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a HF surgical arrangement for removing pathological tissue in hollow organs of a patients, e.g. of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, by HF surgery, the HF surgical arrangement comprising a HF surgical device (5) having a HF generator (18) for generating the respective required HF current and a bipolar loop (103) which has two loop sections (104, 105) that are insulated from each other and that can be brought into electrical contact with the tissue, the HF generator (18) having a first (15) and a second output (14) of opposing polarity. The invention is characterized in that, when operated in a bipolar mode, one of the outputs (14, 15) is connected to one loop section (104, 105) and, when operated in a monopolar mode, the first output (15) is connected to a neutral electrode (17) that can be attached to the patient and the second output (14) is connected to at least one loop section (104, 105). A monopolar mode is chosen at least temporarily, wherein only one of the loop sections (104 or 105) is connected to the second output (14). The invention further relates to a device for operating a HF surgical arrangement.