Electrosurgical Snare With Retractable Loop And Energy Transfer Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical snares for polypectomy procedures lack efficient mechanisms for delivering electromagnetic energy to tissue in both encircled and non-encircled configurations, and have limitations in actuation and geometry that affect their operational versatility and safety.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a coaxial cable with an inner and outer conductor, a dielectric material, and a distal head assembly with a retractable loop that can deliver microwave or RF energy, allowing for both encircled and radial tissue treatment, along with a geometry that includes a reaction surface for mechanical cutting and energy transfer, ensuring efficient energy delivery and reduced tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional snare design is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to deliver electromagnetic energy to tissue in both encircled and non-encircled configurations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The distal head assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a mechanical cutting surface (reaction surface) and an electromagnetic energy transfer region. The energy transfer surface can deliver microwave or RF energy both when tissue is encircled by the snare loop and when tissue is positioned radially outward from the loop, enabling the device to function as both a specialized polypectomy tool and a general-purpose haemostat.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mechanical cutting function (reaction surface) and electromagnetic energy delivery function (energy transfer surface) into a single integrated distal head assembly. This merging of functions allows the snare to deliver electromagnetic energy through both the encircled tissue configuration and the radial configuration, increasing versatility without requiring separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the snare loop is made retractable, then the operational versatility is improved, but the actuation mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The snare loop is configured to be retractable into the distal head assembly, with the loop nesting within the head assembly when retracted. This nested configuration allows the loop to be stored compactly within the head assembly while maintaining the capability to extend for both encircled and radial tissue treatment, improving operational versatility.
3Productivity
If the energy transfer surface is used for both mechanical cutting and energy delivery, then the device efficiency is improved, but the risk of tissue damage may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distal head assembly features distinct functional zones: a reaction surface optimized for mechanical cutting and an energy transfer surface optimized for electromagnetic energy delivery. This local differentiation of qualities allows each surface to perform its specific function efficiently while minimizing the risk of tissue damage from inappropriate energy application or mechanical stress.
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 effective coagulation and cutting of polyps, reduces the risk of tissue damage, and provides a versatile tool for both polypectomy and haemostasis, improving the safety and efficacy of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
The coaxial cable may be arranged to deliver electromagnetic energy to the distal head assembly
Implementation Method 2
The distally facing energy transfer structure may be configured to transmit the electromagnetic energy conveyed to the distal head assembly by the coaxial cable into biological tissue at the distal head assembly
Implementation Method 3
The coaxial cable may be arranged (e.g. appropriately dimensioned) to convey microwave electromagnetic energy, wherein the energy transfer structure may be configured as an antenna for radiating microwave electromagnetic energy
Implementation Method 4
the snare is passed over the polyp and tightened around the polyp's neck (or stem), which is then cut and the polyp removed
Implementation Method 5
a distally facing energy transfer structure that is connected to the inner conductor, and a pair of channels, each of the pair of channels extending axially between an outlet on the distally facing energy transfer surface and an inlet on a proximal surface of the end cap
Data Source
Figure 1A~3B
Figure 4
Figure 5~6A
AI summary
The disclosure relates to three enhancements for a surgical snare: an electrosurgical snare in which the loop of snare wire extends from an energy transfer surface which can act both as a physical reaction surface for mechanical cutting using the snare and as a region for emitting electromagnetic energy; a surgical snare having a snare wire having a first end connected to a movable boss that is slidably mounted on a coaxial cable; and a surgical snare having an end cap with a distally facing reaction surface and a pair of channels for guiding a snare wire, where the distally facing reaction surface is arranged to contact the retractable loop when fully retracted.