Endoscope Electrosurgical Attachment Bending Distal Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrosurgical medical devices often require time-consuming and inconvenient instrument exchanges during procedures, particularly when managing bleeding, as they lack integrated cautery functions.

Innovation Solution

An electrosurgical device with an elongated member that can be attached to an endoscope, featuring a distal portion that bends towards the longitudinal axis when extended, and includes an electrode exposed at the distal portion, allowing for cautery function without the need for instrument exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional instrument exchange method is used, then different surgical functions can be performed, but time consumption increases and procedural efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical function varietyVSAvoidprocedural efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple surgical functions (cautery, cutting, reaming, drilling) into a single integrated endoscopic instrument. The instrument housing includes multiple electrodes and cutting elements that can be selectively activated, eliminating the need to exchange between separate cautery instruments and other surgical tools during procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The endoscopic instrument is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple surgical functions through a single attachment. The instrument housing accommodates various electrodes and cutting elements that can be switched or activated as needed, providing both cautery and other surgical capabilities without requiring separate dedicated instruments for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If dedicated cautery instrument is used, then effective bleeding control is achieved, but instrument exchange time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebleeding control effectivenessVSAvoidinstrument exchange time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cautery function with other surgical functions in a single integrated instrument. The instrument housing includes electrodes for cautery that can be activated alongside or independently from cutting and reaming functions, allowing the surgeon to maintain bleeding control without exchanging instruments when switching between surgical tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument is pre-configured with multiple electrodes and cutting elements positioned and ready for immediate use. The cauterizing electrode can be activated at any time without requiring instrument exchange, as it is already in place within the instrument housing, eliminating the time loss associated with exchanging dedicated cautery instruments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If elongated member is extended beyond shaft, then electrode accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode accessibilityVSAvoidextension mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic extension mechanism where the elongated member can be extended or retracted along the shaft as needed. The elongated member is configured to extend beyond the distal end of the shaft to provide electrode accessibility, then retract when not in use. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt its configuration without requiring a permanently complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables efficient control of bleeding during procedures by providing an integrated cautery function within the endoscope system, reducing instrument-swapping delays and improving procedural efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The elongated member can include a distal portion that, when axially extended beyond a distal end of the shaft, bends toward a longitudinal axis of the shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The electrosurgical device can include an electrode exposed at the distal portion of the elongated member... an electrical interconnect coupling the electrode to an electrosurgical energy connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3871585B1Electrosurgical attachment device
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 GYRUS ACMI INC
  • EP3871585B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3871585B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3871585B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electrosurgical device is provided. The electrosurgical device can include an elongated member configured to be attached to an elongated shaft of an endoscope, the elongated member including a distal portion that, when axially extended beyond a distal end of the shaft, bends toward a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The electrosurgical device can include an electrode exposed at the distal portion of the elongated member. The electrosurgical device can include an electrical interconnect coupling the electrode to an electrosurgical energy connection at a proximal portion of the elongated member.