Dome Electrode Probe for Precise Prostate Tissue Enucleation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF monopolar or bipolar resection methods for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are inefficient, incomplete, and can lead to complications such as TUR syndrome, while laser-based techniques are costly and not widely available.
Innovation Solution
A probe with a dome-shaped electrode body at its distal end, designed for electrical ablation and coagulation, mimicking laser-based enucleation, allowing for gentle, precise, and time-efficient tissue separation without significant lesions, compatible with standard resectoscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If RF monopolar or bipolar resection is used, then the procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but the resection is incomplete and procedure times are long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional RF electrode loop mechanical resection system with a laser-based optical system. The laser beam delivers energy more efficiently and precisely, enabling complete enucleation of prostate tissue in shorter procedure times while using standard resectoscope infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy delivery parameters from RF electrical current to laser optical energy. This parameter change enables more efficient tissue ablation and complete resection, directly addressing the incomplete resection and long procedure time issues of RF methods.
2Productivity
If RF monopolar resection with hypotonic rinsing solution is used, then tissue ablation can be performed, but TUR syndrome complications can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the RF electrical system requiring hypotonic irrigation with a laser optical system that can perform ablation with minimal or isotonic irrigation, eliminating the pathway for TUR syndrome while maintaining efficient tissue removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of required irrigation in RF resection into a benefit by using laser energy that requires minimal irrigation, thereby preventing the harmful infiltration that causes TUR syndrome while maintaining ablation effectiveness.
3Reliability
If laser-based enucleation is used, then complete tissue separation and bloodless operation are achieved, but costs are high and equipment availability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the laser enucleation system universal by integrating it into standard resectoscope infrastructure that is already widely available in operating rooms. This allows the advanced laser technology to be accessed through existing equipment, reducing complexity and increasing availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adapts the laser technology to work through the existing resectoscope optical pathways and working channels, effectively copying the established surgical infrastructure to deliver advanced laser-based complete enucleation without requiring entirely new equipment.
4Quantity of substance
If larger adenomas are treated with RF resection, then the procedure can address significant tissue volume, but procedure times become excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy delivery parameters from RF to laser, which enables faster ablation rates that can handle large tissue volumes efficiently. The laser's precise energy concentration allows rapid vaporization and coagulation, reducing procedure time even for large adenomas.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement of RF mechanical resection with laser ablation provides superior efficiency for large tissue volumes, as the laser can continuously ablate tissue without the mechanical limitations of loop resection, significantly reducing procedure time for large adenomas.
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
Provides a cost-effective alternative to laser-based enucleation with reduced complication rates and improved surgical safety, achieving comparable results to laser techniques.
Implementation Method 1
at least one freely accessible electrode body (2), which can be supplied with electrical energy via at least one electrical line (3)
Data Source
Figure 1a~3b
Figure 4~6
Figure 7a~7e
AI summary
A device for the enucleation of intracorporeal tissue regions, in particular of the prostate, is described, having a probe at whose distal end at least one freely accessible electrode body is mounted to which electrical energy can be applied via at least one electrical line running in the longitudinal extent of the probe. The invention is characterized in that the electrode body has a dome-shaped electrode surface and has cross-sectional surfaces which are oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal extent of the probe and whose surface areas along a first axial portion, which contains the distal dome end of the electrode body, increase continuously as the distance from the distal dome end increases, and in that the cross-sectional surfaces are each delimited by a peripheral edge, which is continuously differentiable at each location. The invention is further characterized in that the probe, including the electrode body, has a mechanically stable design, such that pressure and bending forces can be transmitted by means of the probe to the tissue that is to be separated.