Cannula-Delivered Tissue Dissectors for Integrated Electrosurgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing minimally invasive surgical procedures face challenges in efficiently dissecting tissues with the need for multiple instruments and lack of simultaneous sharp dissection, blunt dissection, electrosurgical cutting, and coagulation capabilities, leading to increased invasiveness and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The development of a cannula-delivered tissue dissector (CDTD) system that integrates a lysing tip with a grasping/control instrument, allowing for simultaneous sharp dissection, blunt dissection, and electrosurgical cutting/coagulation, featuring a lysing tip with rotatable beads and non-conductive jaw coverings to minimize electrical discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate instruments are used for sharp dissection, blunt dissection, electrosurgical cutting, and coagulation, then each function can be performed with a specialized tool, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex and requires frequent instrument switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidinstrument complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple dissection functions (sharp dissection via cutting edge, blunt dissection via rounded portions, electrosurgical cutting, and coagulation) into a single dissector instrument. The shaft integrates various functional elements including a cutting edge at one end, rounded portions along the shaft for blunt dissection, and electrosurgical electrodes, allowing all functions to be performed with one tool without frequent instrument changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dissector is designed as a universal instrument that can perform multiple surgical functions simultaneously. The single instrument incorporates sharp cutting capability, blunt dissection capability, electrosurgical cutting, and coagulation functions, making it a multi-functional tool that replaces several specialized instruments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a single integrated dissector is used for multiple functions, then instrument switching is reduced and surgical efficiency improves, but the design and integration of multiple functions becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dissector shaft is segmented into distinct functional zones: a cutting edge at the distal end for sharp dissection, rounded portions along the shaft for blunt dissection, and electrosurgical electrodes positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows each function to be independently optimized while maintaining a unified instrument structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If electrosurgical energy is applied during tissue dissection, then cutting and coagulation capabilities are enhanced, but unwanted electrical discharge may occur compromising safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrosurgical performanceVSAvoidelectrical discharge risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dissector incorporates non-conductive jaw coverings at specific locations where tissue grasping occurs, while maintaining conductive electrosurgical electrodes at other locations for cutting and coagulation. This localized differentiation of electrical properties allows electrosurgical energy to be applied where needed while preventing unwanted electrical discharge through the jaw coverings that contact tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables efficient and minimally invasive tissue dissection with reduced instrument switching, enhancing surgical precision and safety by integrating multiple functions into a single device.

Implementation Method 1

Both the CDTD and non-CDTD embodiments disclosed herein may perform the functions of sharp dissection, blunt dissection, electrosurgical cutting and/or coagulation simultaneously

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3687418B1Apparatus and systems for minimally invasive dissection of tissues

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 WEBER

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Figure 1q~1s

AI summary

Lysing surgical instruments and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, the instrument may comprise a lysing tip comprising a plurality of beads and at least one lysing member defining at least one lysing segment extending between each pair of adjacent beads or between a tip of the instrument and an adjacent bead. Some embodiments may comprise rearward-facing lysing segments to facilitate retrograde lysing movement through patient tissue.