Illuminated Electrosurgical Blade With Low-Profile Tip Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrosurgical devices with integrated illumination systems face challenges in minimizing the distal profile while providing sufficient light at the surgical site, which can impede the surgeon's view and require optimization of light distribution to enhance visibility during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a dielectric-coated electrosurgical blade with a light-guiding element, an optic, and a light source to direct light through the blade, utilizing features like grooves, prisms, and multi-layered coatings to optimize light emission and distribution at the distal end, enhancing illumination without obstructing the surgical field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source and optic are integrated into the electrosurgical blade, then illumination at the surgical site is improved, but the distal profile of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the optic within the electrosurgical blade structure, nesting the light-guiding element inside the blade's distal portion. This allows the illumination system to be contained within the existing blade profile without significantly increasing the distal length, while still delivering light to the surgical site through the blade's structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the width and depth dimensions of the blade cross-section to accommodate the optic and light source, rather than extending the distal length. By distributing light-guiding elements across the blade's surface area and using lateral light distribution through grooves and prisms, the system achieves illumination without compromising the distal profile.
2Illumination intensity
If light is directed through the electrosurgical blade, then visibility at the surgical site is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function with the electrosurgical blade structure by integrating the optic and light source directly into the blade assembly. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate illumination devices and reduces overall system complexity while providing effective surgical site illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrosurgical blade is designed to serve multiple functions: cutting/coagulation of tissue and illumination of the surgical site. The blade structure itself is configured to guide and distribute light, making the blade a multi-functional tool that reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Ease of operation
If the distal profile is minimized, then ease of manipulation is improved, but illumination capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates light-guiding elements and light distribution features (such as grooves and prisms) specifically at the distal tip of the blade where illumination is most needed for surgical precision. This localized optimization provides effective illumination at the critical surgical site while maintaining a minimized overall distal profile for ease of manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the blade's dielectric coating and surface structures as intermediary elements to guide and distribute light from the integrated optic to the surgical site. These intermediary structures efficiently redirect light through total internal reflection and refraction, providing adequate illumination without requiring a larger distal profile.
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 solution provides effective illumination at the surgical site, improving visibility and reducing the distal profile of the device, thereby enhancing surgical precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the electrosurgical blade or the dielectric coating including at least one light-guiding element, an optic having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the optic optically coupled to the proximal end of the electrosurgical blade
Implementation Method 2
utilizing features like grooves, prisms, and multi-layered coatings to optimize light emission and distribution
Implementation Method 3
dielectric coating...multi-layered coatings to optimize light emission and distribution
Implementation Method 4
utilizing features like grooves, prisms, and multi-layered coatings to optimize light emission and distribution
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to illuminated electrosurgical devices and related systems and methods. An electrosurgical device can include an electrosurgical blade having a proximal end, a distal end with a distal tip, and a dielectric coating including at least one light-guiding element; an optic having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the optic optically coupled to the proximal end of the electrosurgical blade; and a light source arranged at the proximal end of the optic and configured to provide light that is guided through the optic, into the at least one light-guiding element, and out of the dielectric coating at the distal tip of the electrosurgical blade to illuminate an area around the distal tip of the electrosurgical blade.