Endoscopic Instrument Integrating Fluid Jet Nozzle and RF Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic surgical instruments for mucosa elevation and resection are complex, expensive, and require multiple instruments or phases, making them difficult to handle and inefficient for large-area tumor excisions in the gastrointestinal tract.
Innovation Solution
A compact endoscopic surgical instrument combining a fluid jet device with an RF electrode, where the pipe section serves as both a nozzle for fluid jet surgery and an RF cutting/coagulating tool, with an insulating device preventing electrical contact at the distal end and using an inert gas for plasma coagulation, allowing for single-step mucosa elevation and resection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a combined instrument with two separate channels (fluid jet and RF) is used, then both water jet surgery and RF surgery can be performed without instrument change, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid jet device and RF surgical instrument into a single integrated instrument with two separate channels extending from proximal to distal end. The first channel delivers cutting fluid through a nozzle, while the second channel accommodates the RF surgical instrument. Both channels are jacketed by a shared protective sheath, forming a unified multifunctional instrument that eliminates the need for instrument changes during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is designed as a universal device capable of performing multiple surgical functions: water jet surgery through the first channel with nozzle, RF surgery through the second channel with RF surgical instrument, and both functions can be performed sequentially or simultaneously without requiring separate instruments or instrument changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two different instruments project on the distal end for water jet and RF surgery, then both functions are available, but the surgeon's attention is fully required and operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The RF surgical instrument is nested within the second channel of the combined instrument, allowing it to be moved and positioned as needed. The protective sheath encloses both channels, providing a unified structure that is easier to handle than two separate instruments while maintaining the capability to perform both water jet and RF functions at the distal end.
3Device complexity
If the pipe section is used as both nozzle and RF electrode, then manufacturing cost decreases and device complexity simplifies, but electrical insulation must be ensured at the distal end
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe section is designed with differentiated local properties: the peripheral region is electrically conductive to serve as the RF cutting electrode, while the distal end is electrically insulating to prevent unwanted contact. This local quality differentiation allows the same component to fulfill multiple functions while maintaining electrical safety through the insulating device attached to the distal end.
4Device complexity
If a shared protective sheath jackets both channels, then the instrument forms a unified structure, but the RF surgical instrument must be movable within the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The RF surgical instrument is designed to be movable within the second channel of the protective sheath, allowing dynamic positioning and deployment as needed during surgery. This movability is achieved through a guide structure that permits the RF instrument to slide or extend within the channel while maintaining structural unity of the overall instrument.
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 instrument enables simplified, single-step mucosa elevation and resection with minimized surgical risks and reduced instrument complexity, facilitating efficient endoscopic procedures while preventing tissue burning and ensuring precise control.
Implementation Method 1
The distal end of the first channel has a nozzle in order to be able to eject the fluid jet at sufficient speed or with sufficient energy in order to be able to achieve said cutting effect
Implementation Method 2
an electrode device for cutting and/or coagulating a tissue by means of RF current
Implementation Method 3
an insulating device is attached to the distal end of the pipe section in such a manner that the tissue can only be brought into electrically conductive contact with a peripheral region and not with the distal end of the pipe section
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic surgical instrument including a fluid jet device and an electrode device. The fluid jet device includes a pipe section with a nozzle on one distal end for a dissection and/or a needleless injection by means of a fluid and the electrode device is for cutting and/or coagulating tissue, the pipe section forming the electrode device. The surgical instrument further includes an insulating device attached to the distal end of the pipe section such that the tissue can only be brought into electrically conductive contact with a peripheral region of the pipe section and not with the distal end of the pipe section.