Electrosurgical Device with Multi-Phase Signals and Composite Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical devices face challenges in providing precise and controlled tissue treatment, particularly in achieving effective hemostatic seals and tissue transection with minimal damage to surrounding tissue, due to limitations in energy delivery and electrode design.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrosurgical device with a distally-mounted end effector featuring a first and second electrode that move to define a treatment area, combined with a waveform generator producing multi-phase electrosurgical signals, and the use of fluoropolymer materials with electrically conductive mica additives for improved energy transmission and tissue interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional electrosurgical devices are used for tissue sealing and transection, then cutting and coagulation functions are provided, but excessive heat generation causes damage to surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into distinct phases through multi-phase electrosurgical signals, allowing separate control of sealing and cutting functions. The end effector is also segmented with multiple electrodes (first electrode, second electrode, and cutting member) that can be independently controlled to deliver different energy phases to different tissue regions, reducing concentrated heat damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs multi-phase electrosurgical signals with varying parameters (frequency, amplitude, duration) to control heat generation. By changing the electrical parameters delivered to the electrodes, the system can achieve effective tissue sealing at lower temperatures while maintaining cutting capability, thus reducing damage to surrounding tissue.
2Ease of operation
If monopolar operation is used for tissue treatment, then current can be introduced into tissue by a single active electrode, but current must return through a separate grounding pad on the patient's body
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is designed with multi-functionality to perform both monopolar and bipolar operations. The same end effector structure with multiple electrodes can switch between monopolar mode (using a single active electrode with distant ground return) and bipolar mode (using two electrodes both at the end effector), providing operational versatility without requiring separate devices.
3Measurement precision
If bipolar operation is used for tissue treatment, then current is introduced into and returned from tissue by electrodes of the end effector, but precise control of treatment area is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the end effector are assigned different functional qualities: the first electrode and second electrode are optimized for bipolar sealing with controlled current distribution, while the cutting member is optimized for precise transection. This local differentiation allows precise control of the treatment area and minimizes damage to surrounding tissue by confining thermal effects to specific zones.
4Use of energy by moving object
If fluoropolymer materials with electrically conductive mica additives are used for electrode coating, then energy transmission is improved, but material manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode coating uses a composite material combining fluoropolymer (for electrical insulation and biocompatibility) with electrically conductive mica additives (for controlled energy transmission). This composite structure allows the material to simultaneously provide electrical insulation where needed and controlled conductivity at the tissue interface, improving energy transmission efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through established coating techniques.
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 configuration enables precise tissue sealing and transection with reduced heat generation and tissue damage, allowing for efficient bipolar and monopolar operations, enhancing the device's capability for both cutting and coagulation tasks.
Implementation Method 1
RF energy is a form of electrical energy that may be in the frequency range of 100 kHz to 1 MHz. During its operation, an electrosurgical device can transmit low frequency RF energy through tissue, which causes ionic agitation, or friction, in effect resistive heating, thereby increasing the temperature of the tissue.
Implementation Method 2
Heat generated by the current flow through the tissue may form hemostatic seals within the tissue and/or between tissues and thus may be particularly useful for sealing blood vessels, for example.
Implementation Method 3
Because a sharp boundary may be created between the affected tissue and the surrounding tissue, surgeons can operate with a high level of precision and control, without sacrificing un-targeted adjacent tissue.
Implementation Method 4
the first and second electrodes comprise a fluoropolymer material comprising an electrically conductive mica additive
Implementation Method 5
a heat sink layer configured to prevent heat transfer between the base cap and the electrosurgical instrument
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical device is disclosed. The electrosurgical device includes a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The end effector comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode includes a first position and a second position. The second electrode is configured to move from the first position to the second position when a force is applied to the end effector by a tissue section. The first electrode and the second electrode define a treatment area when the second electrode is in the second position.