Electrosurgical Instrument Gas Flow Control for Endoscope Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Argon Plasma Coagulation instruments face difficulties in producing ionized gas during endoluminal procedures due to fluid ingress within the endoscope, which can inhibit gas ionization and affect coagulation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an electrosurgical system with a controlled gas flow rate, initially set below a threshold to prevent fluid ingress during instrument insertion, then increased above the threshold once inserted, with optional pulsing, to ensure effective ionization and coagulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a high flow rate of ionisable gas is supplied during instrument insertion, then fluid ingress into the instrument is prevented, but the endoscope may be damaged and insertion becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of fluid ingressVSAvoiddamage to endoscope

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas flow rate is dynamically adjusted based on the insertion state of the instrument. During insertion, a low flow rate (0.05-0.5 ml/min) is maintained to prevent fluid ingress while avoiding damage to the endoscope. After insertion is complete, the flow rate is increased to a high level (0.5-2.0 ml/min) for effective coagulation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between preventing fluid ingress and avoiding endoscope damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A low level of ionisable gas is supplied preliminarily during the insertion phase to create a protective barrier against fluid ingress without causing harmful effects. This preliminary action at reduced intensity prepares the system for the subsequent high-intensity coagulation phase, resolving the contradiction by separating the protective function from the damaging potential.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a high flow rate of ionisable gas is supplied during instrument insertion, then fluid ingress into the instrument is prevented, but the insertion process becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of fluid ingressVSAvoidease of insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gas flow rate is dynamically adjusted based on the insertion state. During insertion, a low flow rate (0.05-0.5 ml/min) is used to maintain ease of operation and smooth passage through the endoscope. After insertion is complete, the flow rate is increased to (0.5-2.0 ml/min) for effective coagulation. This resolves the contradiction between preventing fluid ingress and maintaining ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A low level of ionisable gas is supplied preliminarily during insertion to prevent fluid ingress without interfering with the ease of insertion. This preliminary low-intensity action is sufficient for protection during the insertion phase, while the high-intensity coagulation function is activated only after insertion is complete.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a low flow rate of ionisable gas is supplied during insertion, then ease of insertion is maintained, but fluid ingress into the instrument occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidprevention of fluid ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gas flow rate is dynamically adjusted based on the insertion state. During insertion, a low flow rate (0.05-0.5 ml/min) is used to maintain ease of operation. After insertion is complete, the flow rate is increased to (0.5-2.0 ml/min) to prevent fluid ingress and enable effective coagulation. This temporal separation resolves the contradiction between ease of insertion and prevention of fluid ingress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a low flow rate of ionisable gas is supplied during insertion, then damage to the endoscope is prevented, but fluid ingress into the instrument occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to endoscopeVSAvoidprevention of fluid ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gas flow rate is dynamically adjusted based on the insertion state. During insertion, a low flow rate (0.05-0.5 ml/min) is used to prevent damage to the endoscope while maintaining ease of insertion. After insertion is complete, the flow rate is increased to (0.5-2.0 ml/min) to prevent fluid ingress and enable effective coagulation. This resolves the contradiction between preventing endoscope damage and preventing fluid ingress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11432865B2Method of inserting an electrosurgical instrument into an endoscope in an apparatus for ionisable gas coagulation and operating the electrosurgical instrument in the endoscope after insertion

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 GYRUS MEDICAL LTD

AI summary

A method of operating an electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue comprises inserting the electrosurgical instrument into an endoscope, and activating a source to supply ionisable gas to the electrosurgical instrument at a flow rate of less than a predetermined threshold flow rate while the electrosurgical instrument is being inserted into the endoscope. Once the electrosurgical instrument has been fully inserted into the endoscope, the source is activated to supply ionisable gas to the electrosurgical instrument at a flow rate of greater than the predetermined threshold flow rate. Finally, high frequency energy is supplied from an electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical instrument, in order to ionise the ionisable gas flowing to the electrosurgical instrument.