Electrosurgical Tip Rotation Through a Coaxial Electrical Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical instruments face challenges in controlling the rotational orientation of the instrument tip when passed through a surgical scoping device, as friction between the instrument channel and the shaft restricts 1:1 rotation, especially with longer devices and multiple components, leading to torque buildup and difficulty in achieving precise orientation.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical instrument with a rotatable connection between the coaxial feed cable and the instrument tip allows independent rotation of the tip relative to the cable, maintaining electrical connections for RF and microwave energy delivery, using an actuator to control the tip's orientation and incorporating a biasing component for rotational biasing and return to initial position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire electrosurgical instrument is rotated around its central axis to change tip orientation, then the instrument tip orientation can be changed, but friction between the instrument channel and shaft restricts rotation and causes torque buildup, making precise control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into two independently rotatable segments: the flexible shaft and the instrument tip. The shaft can rotate within the instrument channel while the tip can rotate independently relative to the shaft via a rotatable connection. This segmentation allows the tip orientation to be controlled without rotating the entire instrument, thereby reducing friction-related restrictions and torque buildup.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotatable connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between the shaft and instrument tip. This connection includes a first conductive part and a second conductive part that maintain electrical continuity while allowing relative rotation. The intermediary enables independent rotational control of the tip without transmitting torque through the entire instrument length, solving the friction and control precision problems.
2Ease of operation
If a rotatable connection is introduced between the coaxial feed cable and instrument tip to enable independent rotation, then precise tip orientation control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connection merges multiple functions into a single mechanism: it provides rotational freedom for orientation control, maintains electrical continuity for RF/microwave energy delivery, and mechanically couples the tip to the shaft. By combining these functions, the patent avoids adding separate complex systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable connection serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a mechanical joint for rotation, an electrical connector for energy transmission, and a structural element for maintaining alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, offsetting the complexity increase from introducing the rotatable mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical instrument for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, comprising: a distal part comprising an instrument tip for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, the instrument tip comprising first and second conductive elements; a coaxial feed cable comprising an inner conductor, a tubular outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor, and dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, the coaxial feed cable being for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to the distal part; wherein: the inner conductor is electrically connected to the first conductive element and the outer conductor is electrically connected to the second conductive element through a rotatable connection between the distal part and the coaxial feed cable that allows rotation of the distal part relative to the coaxial feed cable; and the instrument comprises an actuator for rotating the distal part in a first rotational direction relative to the feed cable.