Electrosurgical Controller Energy Compliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical systems face challenges in accurately conforming to energy delivery standards during procedures, leading to inefficient energy distribution and disruption in tissue ablation due to constant energy delivery time-offs, which can disrupt surgical processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple integration and summing systems that track energy delivery over overlapping time windows, allowing for precise adjustment of energy delivery to ensure compliance with standards while enabling high instantaneous power, by temporarily ceasing energy delivery when predetermined thresholds are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If energy delivery is continuously monitored and adjusted to meet maximum average power requirements, then compliance with energy delivery standards is improved, but the duration of tissue ablation is reduced due to frequent energy cessation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy delivery process into multiple overlapping time windows (e.g., 100ms, 200ms, 500ms windows) that are summed to calculate total energy delivery. This segmentation allows the system to track energy delivery at different temporal scales simultaneously, enabling compliance verification without requiring continuous cessation of energy delivery. The segmentation transforms a single long-duration constraint into multiple shorter, manageable measurement intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic energy delivery with controlled interruptions based on the summed energy calculation across overlapping time windows. When the sum of energy delivered across windows approaches the maximum average power limit, the system periodically ceases energy delivery for brief intervals, then resumes when the limit is no longer approached. This periodic action maintains compliance while minimizing total cessation duration compared to continuous monitoring and stopping.
2Measurement precision
If multiple integration and summing systems are implemented to track energy delivery over overlapping time windows, then precision of energy delivery control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single microprocessor that performs multiple functions: it acts as the integration system for calculating energy delivery, the summing system for aggregating values across time windows, the compliance determination system, and the control system for adjusting energy delivery. By consolidating these functions into one multi-functional component rather than separate dedicated systems, the patent achieves high measurement precision while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the integration and summing operations into a unified computational process within the microprocessor. Rather than implementing separate integration circuits and summing circuits that would increase hardware complexity, the system combines these functions into software-based calculations performed by a single processing unit, achieving the same precision with reduced structural complexity.
3Reliability
If energy delivery is ceased when predetermined thresholds are met, then compliance with maximum average power requirements is improved, but surgical efficiency is reduced due to interruptions in energy delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of energy delivery based on real-time calculation of summed energy across overlapping time windows. The system continuously monitors the cumulative energy delivery and dynamically modulates the energy output, increasing delivery when the summed value is below the threshold and decreasing or ceasing delivery when the threshold is approached. This dynamic control allows longer continuous energy delivery periods compared to static threshold-based systems, thereby improving surgical efficiency while maintaining compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses overlapping time windows that extend into the future relative to the current time point. By calculating the sum of energy delivery across windows that include future time points, the system can predict when the maximum average power limit will be reached and proactively adjust energy delivery before the limit is exceeded. This preliminary action prevents the need for abrupt, lengthy cessation periods, allowing smoother transitions and maintaining higher overall productivity.
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
This approach allows for more consistent and effective tissue ablation by adjusting energy delivery to meet maximum average power requirements, reducing the duration of energy cessation and improving surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage generator configured to deliver a radio frequency (RF) energy to the active terminal
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical controller and related methods. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: placing a distal end of an electrosurgical wand in operational relationship with biological tissue; delivering energy to an active electrode of the electrosurgical wand. During delivering energy, the method may comprise: measuring a value indicative of flow of the energy to the active electrode; summing, over a first predetermined window of time, to create a first value indicative of energy provided to the active electrode; summing, over a second predetermined window of time, to create a second value indicative of energy provided to the active electrode. The method may further comprise: ceasing delivering energy responsive to the first value meeting or exceeding a predetermined value; and ceasing delivering energy responsive to the second value meeting or exceeding a threshold value.