Electrosurgical Access Sheath for Lung Biopsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bronchoscopic access catheters are too large to reach smaller, more remote target areas in the lung without causing tissue damage, requiring additional dilation and tool exchanges, which complicates medical procedures like tumor biopsy and cancer treatments.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical access sheath system that uses radio frequency (RF) energy to create large incisions, allowing the sheath to be advanced without dilation, enabling procedures like tissue biopsy and electrosurgical ablation by maintaining a constant diameter distal working section and employing monopolar-based RF energy for precise tissue cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional access catheters are made large enough to accommodate surgical tools, then tool compatibility is improved, but the ability to reach remote target areas deteriorates due to tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using RF energy to pre-cut the tissue tract before advancing the access catheter. The cutting element creates a defined pathway through the lung tissue, allowing the catheter to be advanced through the pre-formed channel without requiring dilation or causing additional tissue damage. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the path in advance, enabling both tool compatibility and remote access.
2Ease of operation
If access catheters are made large to accommodate tools, then surgical tool passage is improved, but procedural complexity worsens due to required dilation and multiple tool exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cutting function and access catheter into a single integrated device. The access catheter includes an integrated cutting element that can cut tissue and create a pathway, eliminating the need for separate dilation instruments and multiple tool exchanges. This consolidation reduces procedural complexity while maintaining the ability to accommodate surgical tools through the catheter lumen.
3Length of moving object
If RF energy is used to create large incisions, then access to remote regions is improved, but energy requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating RF energy at the specific location where tissue cutting is needed, rather than applying energy system-wide. The cutting element is positioned at the distal end of the catheter, delivering RF energy locally to create the tissue pathway. This localized energy application enables deep access to remote lung regions while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to system-wide energy delivery.
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
Enables safe and efficient access to remote lung regions, reducing tissue damage and procedural complexity by creating necessary openings for medical instruments without the need for additional dilation, facilitating diagnostic and treatment procedures through a single access point.
Implementation Method 1
the access sheath creates large incisions using radio frequency (RF) energy
Implementation Method 2
the radio frequency energy is monopolar-based based
Implementation Method 3
enables a physician to reach target regions of interest exterior to the airways in the lung of a patient
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical access catheter for assisting a physician perform an ancillary surgical procedure on a region of interest (ROI) in a patient has a tubular shaped elongate shaft and a ring-shaped active electrode located at the distal end. A passageway extends from the proximal section to the distal end of the shaft, and through the ring-shaped active electrode. The proximal section of the elongate shaft is detachably coupled to an electrosurgical controller such that the ring-shaped active electrode is operable with the electrosurgical controller and a dispersive electrode to electrosurgically make a circular-shaped incision through a tissue wall, carving a cylindrical-shaped tissue plug as the ring-shaped active electrode is advanced through the wall. The access sheath is advanced through the surgically created opening and without further dilation of the opening. The invention has particular applicability to the lung, and minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedures. Related methods are also described.