Deployable Electrode Cartridge for Faster Energy Treatment Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Minimally invasive medical procedures face challenges with instrument switching times, which prolong patient anesthesia duration due to the need for multiple instruments and end effectors, necessitating a solution that enhances efficiency and reduces recovery time.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with pivotable arms and electrodes that can be deployed from a compact to an extended configuration, allowing for adjustable electrode spacing and energy treatment, integrated with a robotic system for precise control and energy delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple instruments and end effectors are used for different treatment functions, then treatment versatility is improved, but instrument switching time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment versatilityVSAvoidinstrument switching time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The end effector base is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple cartridges with different electrode configurations (e.g., monopolar, bipolar, RF ablation, cryoablation). This allows a single device to perform multiple treatment functions without requiring separate instruments for each function, thereby reducing instrument switching time while maintaining treatment versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The end effector is divided into modular cartridges that can be independently selected and exchanged. Each cartridge is a self-contained unit with specific electrode arrangements optimized for particular treatment types. This segmentation enables rapid switching between different treatment modalities by simply changing the cartridge, reducing the time required compared to switching entire instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If electrode spacing is fixed, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different treatment volumes is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to treatment volumes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The end effector base incorporates adjustable electrode spacing mechanisms that allow the electrode configuration to be dynamically modified based on the treatment requirements. This enables the device to adapt to different treatment volumes and tissue targets without requiring multiple fixed configurations, maintaining relative simplicity while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing key parameters such as electrode spacing, electrode material, and electrode geometry by exchanging cartridges or adjusting components. This parameter variability enables the same base device to accommodate different treatment volumes and clinical scenarios, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250352258A1Energy treatment medical devices and energy treatment methods

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

Medical devices and cartridges include a rotary drive portion and a plurality of arms movable by rotation of the rotary drive portion. An electrode is coupled to each of the arms. Medical systems and methods include a base and a plurality of cartridges configured to be releasably attached to the base. The medical systems and methods include an identification of a selected cartridge and a determination of a set of parameters for an energy treatment corresponding to the selected cartridge.