Electrosurgical Probe Integrating Microwave Coagulation and Liquid Dispensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrosurgical methods require discontinuing microwave coagulation to administer liquid medicine to a target area, such as adrenaline, which reduces the effectiveness of blood flow stemming during procedures like vessel coagulation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Innovation Solution

An electrosurgical device with a coaxial transmission line that combines microwave energy emission and liquid delivery through a probe tip, allowing simultaneous microwave coagulation and liquid administration to a target area using a radiating antenna structure and a hollow needle for controlled liquid delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the microwave emitter is removed from the body cavity to inject liquid medicine, then the liquid medicine can be administered to the target area, but microwave coagulation cannot occur during the injection period, reducing the stemming of blood flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid medicine administrationVSAvoidblood flow stemming efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the microwave emitter and liquid injection system into a single integrated probe that can perform both functions simultaneously. The probe includes a coaxial transmission line for microwave energy delivery and a hollow inner conductor that serves as both a structural component and a liquid delivery channel, allowing continuous blood flow control while administering liquid medicine

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If conventional electrosurgical methods are used to administer liquid medicine, then the injection can be performed, but the procedure requires discontinuing microwave coagulation, increasing treatment time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid injection capabilityVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated probe design enables continuous microwave coagulation throughout the entire treatment process, including during liquid medicine administration. The microwave energy delivery and liquid injection occur simultaneously without interruption, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous therapeutic action on the target tissue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If bipolar RF coagulation is used instead of microwave energy, then coagulation can be achieved, but there is a higher risk of injury due to burning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoagulation effectivenessVSAvoidburning injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs microwave frequency energy (typically 2.45 GHz or 915 MHz) instead of lower frequency RF energy, which allows for more controlled and uniform heating of tissue. The microwave radiation penetrates tissue to a controlled depth and can be precisely focused, reducing the risk of uncontrolled thermal spread and burning injuries while maintaining effective coagulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables continuous microwave coagulation and targeted liquid administration, improving the efficiency of treating bleeds and reducing the risk of injury compared to other coagulation techniques.

Implementation Method 1

an elongate probe having: a coaxial transmission line for conveying microwave electromagnetic (EM) energy, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the coaxial transmission line for receiving the microwave energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the coaxial transmission line comprises: a hollow inner conductor, an outer conductor, a first dielectric material separating the inner conductor from the outer conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the probe tip includes a conductive element coupled to receive microwave energy from the coaxial transmission line, the conductive element forming a radiating antenna structure for emitting a microwave EM field outwardly from the probe tip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

a liquid channel located inside the coaxial transmission line for conveying liquid through the elongate probe to the probe tip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through channel:

Implementation Method 5

microwave energy can be used to stem bleeds by causing coagulation of blood, e.g. in the gastrointestinal tract

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave heating and coagulation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 6

Using microwave energy allows controlled coagulation which is not limited by the effect of the impedance of the coagulated tissue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3386411B1Electrosurgical instrument for radiating microwave energy and dispensing liquid at a treatment site
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 CREO MEDICAL LTD
  • EP3386411B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3386411B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3386411B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An electrosurgical device capable of both: (i) generating a radiative microwave field to perform either blood coagulation or sterilization, and (ii) dispensing a liquid to a target area, e.g. adrenaline for the treatment of peptic ulcers. Using microwave energy allows controlled coagulation which is unaffected by changes in tissue impedance during coagulation, and which can achieve a high level of coagulation within a given time. The device comprises a probe tip having a coaxial transmission line that includes a hollow inner conductor having a dielectric material formed on an inner surface thereof. A liquid-conveying channel is located inside the dielectric material. The probe tip includes a conductive element coupled to receive microwave energy from the coaxial transmission line, the conductive element forming a radiating antenna structure for emitting a microwave EM field outwardly from the probe tip.