Electrosurgical Pencil With Telescoping Tube and Movable Suction Tip
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical pencils face challenges in balancing smoke evacuation and visibility during surgical procedures, particularly when adjusting the length and position of the electrode and smoke evacuation shroud.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical pencil with a telescoping tube and movable suction tip that allows adjustable positioning of the electrode and suction tip relative to the housing, enabling efficient smoke removal and improved visibility by varying the coverage of the electrode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length electrosurgical pencil is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the pencil cannot be adapted to different surgical needs requiring different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The pencil incorporates a telescoping mechanism with a tube that can move axially relative to the housing, transforming the fixed-length structure into a dynamically adjustable one. This allows the pencil to change length during use to accommodate different surgical requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a smoke evacuation shroud is attached to the pencil, then smoke evacuation is improved, but the visibility of the electrode tip is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tip is made movable relative to the tube, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position. The surgeon can move the suction tip closer to the electrode tip for improved smoke evacuation when needed, or move it away to improve visibility of the electrode tip, providing flexible control over the trade-off between smoke evacuation and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The smoke evacuation system is segmented into separate movable components (suction tip and tube) rather than being a fixed integrated structure. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component's position, enabling optimization of both smoke evacuation effectiveness and electrode tip visibility according to surgical needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode length is changed by replacing electrodes, then the pencil length can be adapted, but the operation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring electrode replacement to change pencil length, the invention implements a telescoping tube that can move axially within the housing. This dynamic length adjustment mechanism allows the surgeon to change the effective pencil length by moving the tube, eliminating the need to replace electrodes and simplifying the operation.
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
The pencil provides ergonomic and efficient operation by allowing independent adjustment of the electrode and suction tip positions, enhancing smoke evacuation and visibility without the need for repeated adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a suction tip attached to the tube and forming a further extension of the suction passage and being configured for telescoping movement relative to the tube to cover a larger or lesser portion of the electrode
Implementation Method 2
a tube with an internal conduit extending between a distal extension opening and a proximal extension opening and forming an extension of the main suction passage, the tube being configured for telescoping movement through the proximal opening
Implementation Method 3
a housing forming an axially extending main suction passage from a proximal opening to a distal opening
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-surgical pencil comprising: a housing forming an axially extending main suction passage from a proximal opening to a distal opening; a tube forming an extension of the main suction passage from the proximal opening to a proximal extension opening, the tube being configured for telescoping movement through the proximal opening; an electrode for cutting and/or coagulating tissue, the electrode being attached to the tube and extending axially from the proximal extension opening; and a suction tip attached to the tube and forming a further extension of the suction passage. Since both the tube and the suction tip are movable relative to the housing, a short and a long configuration can be obtained while good smoke removal capabilities are maintained.