Dual-Mode Electrosurgical Probe for Plasma and Microwave Coagulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrosurgical systems using radiofrequency (RF) plasma for surface coagulation face challenges with electric field collapse due to tissue variations and capacitance, limiting their effectiveness in deep tissue coagulation and requiring multiple instruments for different procedures.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical device with a probe tip that adjusts between bipolar and antenna configurations to generate both RF and microwave energy, allowing for the creation and sustenance of plasma, and emission of non-ionizing microwave fields for deep coagulation, using a coaxial structure with retractable outer conductors and dielectric materials to maintain impedance matching and ensure efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RF plasma is used for surface coagulation, then surface bleeding control is achieved, but electric field collapse occurs due to tissue variations and capacitance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from RF frequency to microwave frequency operation, changing the electromagnetic parameter to avoid capacitance-related field collapse. Microwave frequencies provide more stable plasma generation不受tissue capacitance variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical RF plasma generation system with a microwave-based plasma system, using electromagnetic field characteristics at higher frequencies to achieve more stable plasma sustainment
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single instrument is used for both surface and deep coagulation, then device versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single probe that can operate in multiple modes: RF plasma mode for surface coagulation and microwave antenna mode for deep coagulation, making the device universal for different surgical needs
Solution Approach 2:
The probe incorporates a movable outer conductor that can be repositioned to change the probe's configuration dynamically, allowing transition between RF bipolar configuration and microwave monopole antenna configuration
3Use of energy by moving object
If microwave energy is used for deep coagulation, then non-ionizing radiation is emitted, but plasma generation requires high impedance condition setup
Solution Approach 1:
The movable outer conductor acts as an intermediary element that, when repositioned, transforms the probe into a monopole antenna configuration, enabling efficient microwave energy transfer and automatic impedance matching to tissue
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
The device effectively performs surface and deep tissue coagulation, maintaining plasma stability and enabling efficient energy delivery, reducing the need for multiple instruments and improving treatment efficiency by switching between configurations based on tissue conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Ionization of the argon gas as it is emitted creates the plasma that causes coagulation
Implementation Method 2
a jet of argon gas is directed through a probe passed through an endoscope. Ionization of the argon gas as it is emitted creates the plasma
Implementation Method 3
the probe tip defines an antenna structure to emit non-ionising microwave energy into tissue
Implementation Method 4
the coaxial cable comprises an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric material separating the inner conductor from the outer conductor
Implementation Method 5
radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy is used to treat biological tissue by causing haemostasis
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical device that is capable of both generating a plasma to perform surface coagulation and emitting a non-ionizing microwave field (in the absence of plasma) to perform coagulation at a deeper level. The device comprises a probe tip that is connected to receive radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave frequency energy from a generator, and also defines a flow path for a gas. The probe tip is adjustable between a first configuration, in which it defines a bipolar (e.g. coaxial) structure to produce a high electric field from the received RF and/or microwave frequency energy across the flow path for the gas to strike and sustain plasma and a second configuration, in which it defines an antenna structure to emit non-ionizing microwave energy into tissue.