Electrosurgical Instrument Permanent Tensioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrosurgical instruments, the distance of the electrode tip from the distal end of the insulator cannot be reliably maintained, especially when the instrument is bent or curved due to deformation of the flexible sheath and gaps between components, leading to potential electrode movement during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical instrument with a ceramic insulating body and a shear-resistant thrust element, featuring a stop and counter stop mechanism, along with an elastically deformable device like a spring, to maintain the electrode's position relative to the distal end of the insulator, ensuring consistent distance regardless of curvature or bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gap is left between the flexible sheath and the operating wire to provide necessary play for extension and retraction movement, then the electrode can move freely during operation, but the electrode position becomes unstable when the instrument is bent or curved due to sheath deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded to create a permanent tension state before operation begins. This preliminary tensioning establishes a baseline force that continuously acts on the operating wire, ensuring the electrode maintains its positioned state relative to the insulator even when the flexible sheath deforms during bending or curving operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element changes the mechanical parameter of tension force applied to the operating wire. By introducing this elastic component, the system transforms from a passive gap-based movement system to an active tension-controlled system, where the spring constant and pre-load force can be optimized to maintain electrode position stability while allowing necessary movement range.
2Manufacturing precision
If the electrode is allowed to move freely in the flexible sheath for positioning adjustments, then the electrode can be positioned precisely, but unwanted electrode movement occurs during bending or curving of the instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded to create a permanent tension state before operation begins. This preliminary tensioning establishes a baseline force that continuously acts on the operating wire, ensuring the electrode maintains its positioned state relative to the insulator even when the flexible sheath deforms during bending or curving operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element changes the mechanical parameter of tension force applied to the operating wire. By introducing this elastic component, the system transforms from a passive gap-based movement system to an active tension-controlled system, where the spring constant and pre-load force can be optimized to maintain electrode position stability while allowing necessary movement range.
3Reliability
If an elastomer ring is used to fix the needle electrode position by inducing holding force, then the electrode position is maintained, but friction force must be continuously overcome during forward and back movement
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element acts as an intermediary between the electrode and the insulator, replacing the direct friction-based holding mechanism of the elastomer ring. Instead of relying on friction to maintain position, the spring provides a continuous tension force that pulls the electrode toward its positioned state, eliminating the need to continuously overcome friction during movement while still providing stable position maintenance.
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 solution effectively prevents unwanted electrode movement during bending or curving of the instrument, maintaining a defined position of the electrode tip relative to the distal end of the insulating arrangement, thus ensuring consistent performance and accuracy during surgical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
An elastically deformable device, e.g. a spring elastic element (spring element) is arranged and configured to pretension the counter stop in distal direction against the stop
Data Source
AI summary
The electrosurgical instrument includes an electrode and an insulator arrangement. The latter includes an instrument hose and an insulator arrangement arranged at its distal end. In the instrument hose a longitudinal thrust element is arranged for defining the position of the electrode relative to the distal end of the insulator arrangement. The instrument comprises a stop and a counter stop, whereby the counter stop is assigned to the electrode and/or the thrust element. An elastically deformable device is configured to pretension the counter stop in a distal direction against the stop in order to prevent a movement of the electrode in a proximal direction relative to the distal end of the insulator arrangement and/or the instrument hose during bending or curving of the instrument hose.