Electrosurgical Probe Segmented Cooling Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bipolar electrosurgical probes face issues with energy loss and safety concerns due to conductivity of cooling fluid between electrodes, affecting impedance measurements and lesion effectiveness, especially in insulative tissues like bone.

Innovation Solution

The design includes electrically isolated tubular electrodes with a cooling fluid circulating within one conductor, ensuring the fluid does not form a conductive link between electrodes, allowing for direct and indirect cooling while maintaining electrical isolation, and incorporating temperature sensors for precise temperature monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling fluid is allowed to contact both electrodes, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but energy loss increases and safety concerns arise due to conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode temperatureVSAvoidenergy transmission loss

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into separate channels for each electrode. Each electrode has its own dedicated cooling fluid pathway, preventing the fluid from forming a conductive link between electrodes while still providing effective cooling to both electrodes independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Electrically insulating material is introduced as an intermediary between the cooling fluid and the electrodes. This insulator allows thermal energy transfer from the electrodes to the cooling fluid while blocking electrical current, thus maintaining cooling effectiveness while preventing energy loss through the fluid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If cooling fluid contacts both electrodes, then cooling is improved, but impedance measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode temperatureVSAvoidimpedance measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fluid pathway is segmented into separate channels for each electrode, preventing the fluid from creating a conductive bridge that would interfere with impedance measurements between the electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Electrically insulating material acts as an intermediary that permits thermal contact between the cooling fluid and electrodes while blocking electrical conduction, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while achieving effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If electrical insulator with high thermal conductivity is used, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but electrical isolation reliability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode cooling efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical isolation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A composite material is used for the electrical insulator that combines high thermal conductivity with high electrical resistivity. This composite structure allows efficient heat transfer from the electrodes to the cooling fluid while maintaining reliable electrical isolation between the electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 enhances the predictability and effectiveness of lesioning in insulative tissues by minimizing energy loss and ensuring safe energy delivery, providing uniform cooling and temperature control for consistent lesion formation.

Implementation Method 1

The inner electrical conductor defines a lumen for the circulation of a cooling fluid therein... when the cooling fluid is circulating within the lumen of the inner electrical conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

An inner electrical insulator disposed between the electrical conductors electrically isolates the electrical conductors with the electrical insulator having sufficient thermal conductivity to allow for cooling of the at least two electrical conductors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20240398466A1Electrosurgical device and methods

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 MEDTRONIC EUROPE SÀRL

AI summary

An electrosurgical probe with internal cooling for use in systems and methods for lesioning in bone and other tissue is disclosed. The probe includes a distal electrical insulator, a proximal electrical insulator, a distal electrical conductor defining a distal electrode with a closed distal end and a proximal electrical conductor defining a proximal electrode, the distal electrode longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated from the proximal electrode by the distal electrical insulator. The distal electrode has a closed proximal end formed by a distal face of the distal electrical insulator to thereby define a closed distal inner lumen for circulating the cooling fluid. The proximal electrode has a closed distal end formed by a proximal face of the distal electrical insulator and a closed proximal end formed by a distal face of the proximal electrical insulator to thereby define a closed proximal inner lumen for circulating the cooling fluid.