Coaxial Electrosurgical Tip for RF Resection and Microwave Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical resection devices struggle to simultaneously achieve blood-free cutting and controlled tissue ablation with minimal blood loss, as they either rely on inefficient methods like RF energy or lack the precision of microwave ablation.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical instrument that combines RF and microwave energy delivery through a coaxial transmission line structure, allowing for controlled resection and ablation by using a triaxial or ball-shaped tip design to emit energy in focused or spherical patterns, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrosurgical instruments are used to resect and ablate tissue, then tissue removal efficiency is improved, but thermal damage to surrounding healthy tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct functional zones along the electrosurgical instrument: a resection zone with higher power for tissue removal, an ablation zone with moderate power for controlled tissue destruction, and a barrier zone with lower power to protect surrounding healthy tissue. Each zone is configured with specific electrical parameters to achieve its localized function, allowing simultaneous tissue removal and protection of adjacent areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate electrosurgical instruments are used for resection, ablation, and hemostasis, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrosurgical functions (resection, ablation, and hemostasis) into a single instrument with multiple electrodes arranged along its length. Each electrode can be independently controlled to perform different functions, allowing the instrument to replace multiple separate devices while maintaining functional versatility. The integrated design reduces the number of instrument changes needed during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrosurgical instrument is designed with universal functionality to perform resection, ablation, and hemostasis through its multiple electrodes. The system can adapt to different surgical needs by adjusting the activation and parameters of specific electrodes, making it a multi-functional tool that replaces several specialized instruments.
3Productivity
If high power is applied for rapid tissue resection, then surgical efficiency is improved, but collateral thermal damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrosurgical instrument into multiple discrete electrodes, each capable of independent activation. This allows high power to be applied to specific electrodes for rapid resection of target tissue, while adjacent electrodes remain inactive or operate at lower power to prevent collateral thermal damage. The segmentation enables precise control over where thermal energy is delivered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by configuring different electrodes with specific functional characteristics: resection electrodes optimized for high-power rapid tissue removal, ablation electrodes for controlled tissue destruction, and barrier electrodes for protecting surrounding healthy tissue. Each electrode's local properties are tailored to its specific surgical function, allowing efficient tissue removal while minimizing harmful thermal effects on adjacent structures.
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 precise and controlled tissue resection and ablation with reduced blood loss by utilizing RF energy for focused cutting and microwave energy for spherical ablation, enhancing surgical precision and minimizing blood loss.
Implementation Method 1
a first radiofrequency current is generated to resect tissue
Implementation Method 2
a second radiofrequency current is generated to ablate tissue
Implementation Method 3
a third radiofrequency current is generated to coagulate blood vessels
Implementation Method 4
a fourth radiofrequency current is generated to prevent thermal damage to surrounding tissue
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An electrosurgical instrument which is capable of simultaneously ablating an area of tissue with microwave energy and performing resection with RF energy. The instrument comprises a structure for conveying both RF and microwave energy to an instrument tip that is configured to emit the microwave energy in a manner suitable for ablation (e.g. as a substantially spherical field) and to emit the RF energy in a more focussed manner to enable accurate and controllable resection to be performed. The energy conveying structure comprises a coaxial transmission line for conveying microwave energy. The coaxial transmission line has a hollow inner conductor that defines a passage that supports a second transmission line for conveying radiofrequency energy.