Electrosurgical Generator Dynamic Procedure Time Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical systems are unable to adjust procedure time intra-procedurally when the target tissue temperature does not reach a pre-set threshold within the allotted time, leading to potential incomplete treatments and uncertainty in overall procedure duration.
Innovation Solution
The system measures the parameter over time and extends the overall procedure time by calculating a procedure extension time based on the difference between the ramp time and when the pre-set threshold is reached, allowing for dynamic adjustment of the treatment duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a pre-set overall procedure time is defined for the treatment procedure, then the procedure time is fixed and predictable, but the treatment may be incomplete if the target tissue temperature does not reach the pre-set threshold within the allotted time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the overall procedure time during treatment based on real-time temperature monitoring. When the target tissue temperature fails to reach the pre-set threshold within the initial ramp time, the system automatically extends the procedure time to ensure complete treatment, transforming a static time parameter into a dynamic one that adapts to actual treatment progress
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the target tissue temperature and comparing it against the pre-set threshold. Based on this feedback, the system determines whether to extend the procedure time, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that ensures treatment completeness while maintaining time efficiency
2Reliability
If the overall procedure time is extended to ensure complete treatment, then treatment completeness is improved, but the procedure time becomes unpredictable and longer than initially planned
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-setting the ramp time and temperature threshold before treatment begins. This allows the system to establish initial expectations for treatment duration and quickly determine whether time extension is needed, reducing uncertainty about the total procedure time
3Measurement precision
If the treatment time counter starts only after the threshold temperature is reached, then the treatment duration is accurately measured, but the user cannot predict the overall procedure time in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds another dimension to time measurement by tracking both the pre-procedure ramp time (before threshold is reached) and the post-procedure treatment time (after threshold is reached). This multi-dimensional time tracking provides both accurate treatment duration measurement and overall procedure time predictability
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are disclosed for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal during a treatment procedure using an electrosurgical generator, a pre-set overall procedure time being defined for the treatment procedure, a ramp time being defined for a parameter to reach a pre-set threshold during the treatment procedure, the method comprising: measuring the parameter over time; and if the parameter has not substantially reached the pre-set threshold by the ramp time, setting a procedure extension time responsive to the time difference between the ramp time and the time at which the pre-set threshold was reached, and extending the overall procedure time by the procedure extension time.