Diathermic Cutter Electrode Segmentation for Precision Tissue Incision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diathermic cutters for cutting off living tissues, such as mucosa, lack the necessary degree of freedom and precision in movement, requiring laborious operations to avoid non-cut-off tissues and limiting the ease and safety of incision procedures.
Innovation Solution
A diathermic cutter with a cylindrical main body, an elongated member, and an electrode configuration that includes a small-diameter electrode section for axial movement and a large-diameter electrode section for lateral movement, both covered by an electrically insulating member, allowing for diverse and precise cutting directions without electrical discharge to non-cut-off tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a needle-shaped cutter section is used for cutting tissues, then the instrument can perform incision, but the degree of freedom and precision in movement is insufficient requiring laborious operations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple sections with different diameters (small-diameter electrode section and large-diameter electrode section) that can move independently relative to each other, allowing complex cutting motions to be achieved through simple independent movements of each section
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode sections are designed to be movable rather than fixed, with the small-diameter section capable of axial movement and the large-diameter section capable of lateral movement, enabling dynamic adjustment of cutting direction and position during the procedure
2Reliability
If the electrode is fully covered by insulating material, then electrical discharge to non-cut-off tissues is prevented, but the precision and diversity of cutting directions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating coating is applied selectively to specific surfaces of the electrode rather than uniformly covering all surfaces, with the base-end surface of the large-diameter electrode section left exposed to enable lateral cutting while other surfaces are coated to prevent unwanted discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode design adds dimensional versatility by enabling movement in multiple directions (axial and lateral) while maintaining electrical safety through strategic insulating coating placement
3Ease of manufacture
If the electrode structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but the precision and control of cutting position is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into distinct sections with standardized geometries that can be manufactured separately and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining precise relative positioning through the insulating member structure
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
Enhances the ease, safety, and precision of cutting off tissues by increasing the degree of freedom in incision directions, reducing the need for laborious alignment and minimizing electrical discharge to non-cut-off tissues, thus facilitating efficient and safe tissue removal.
Implementation Method 1
When a high-frequency current is supplied to this cutter section, the living tissue contacting the cutter section is cauterized/incised
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a diathermic cutter including a cylindrical main body member having a central axis, an axially elongated member including a tip end portion movable so as to change a projected state from a tip end of the main body member along the central axis of the main body member, an electrode including a base end portion on which the tip end portion of the elongated member is disposed and extending in a direction deviating from the central axis of the elongated member, and an electrically insulating member with which the electrode is coated in such a manner that at least a part of a base-end surface of the base end portion of the electrode in the vicinity of the tip end of the main body member is exposed toward the tip end of the main body member.