Electrosurgical Infusion Module With Visual Fluid-Level Plunger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion modules for electrosurgical instruments are complex in construction and cumbersome to operate, necessitating improvements for increased robustness and usability.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a transparent fluid reservoir and a plunger featuring distinct colored portions, biased by a spring, allows visual monitoring of fluid levels and provides a secure snap-lock mechanism for the housing components, ensuring consistent and controlled fluid delivery to the treatment site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electronically-controlled fluid pump system is used to provide cooling or irrigation fluid, then fluid delivery can be controlled, but the construction becomes complex and operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex electronically-controlled pump system and replaces it with a simple spring-biased plunger mechanism. The spring (250) directly biases the plunger (240) to discharge fluid without requiring electronic controls, motors, or complex circuitry, thereby eliminating construction complexity while maintaining fluid delivery functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased plunger system is self-actuating and requires no external power source or electronic control. The spring automatically biases the plunger to discharge fluid as the reservoir depletes, making the system self-service and eliminating the need for complex electronic control systems
2Ease of operation
If a transparent fluid reservoir with colored plunger portions is used, then visual monitoring of fluid levels is improved, but the device construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is divided into distinct colored portions (first colored portion and second colored portion) that provide visual indicators of fluid volume. As the plunger moves and different colored portions become visible through the transparent reservoir, users can easily monitor fluid levels without requiring complex electronic sensors or indicators
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent reservoir serves multiple functions: it contains the fluid, allows visual monitoring of fluid levels, and provides a viewing window for the colored plunger portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate indicators or sensors, reducing overall device complexity while improving ease of operation
3Reliability
If a snap mechanism with central locking feature is used to secure housing components, then assembly robustness is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple components (first shell and second shell) that can be manufactured separately using standard injection molding processes. The snap mechanism with central locking feature provides robust assembly while allowing independent manufacturing of housing components, balancing assembly robustness with manufacturing ease
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
Enhances the efficacy of RF ablation procedures by providing continuous fluid infusion, reducing tissue charring, and improving usability through visual feedback and secure assembly.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is disposed within the housing and configured to bias the plunger to discharge the infusion fluid to the electrosurgical instrument
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device for delivering a liquid to an electrosurgical instrument. A plunger is movably disposed and biased within a fluid reservoir. The plunger includes a first colored portion and a second colored portion. The first colored portion is viewable through the window with the fluid reservoir containing a first volume, and movement of the plunger is configured to expose the second colored portion as the fluid reservoir discharges liquid. A housing of the device may include a first shell including a female snap and a second shell including a male snap. The female snap includes a female annular projection, a female snap undercut, and a central locking feature. The central locking feature is received within a male annular projection to extend from the first shell to an axial position closer to a distal end of the female annular projection than the female snap undercut.