Flexible Medical Electrode Assembly with Vacuum Tissue Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical-treatment electrode assemblies for conditions like gastro-esophageal reflux disease face challenges in achieving intimate tissue contact and effective visual monitoring, leading to tissue charring and inadequate treatment visualization.
Innovation Solution
A medical-treatment electrode assembly featuring a flexible tube with electrodes and a vacuum system to draw tissue closer, combined with a flexible endoscope for visual monitoring, ensures intimate contact and improved treatment visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid electrode assembly is used, then structural stability is maintained, but intimate contact with patient tissue is reduced leading to tissue charring
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly employs a flexible tube structure that can conform to the irregular surfaces of patient tissue, ensuring intimate contact while preventing the harmful effect of tissue charring through even heat distribution
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid electrode assembly is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different tissue surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tube with embedded electrodes provides adaptability to various tissue surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process, balancing versatility with device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly incorporates flexible components that can dynamically adjust to different tissue geometries, enabling adaptability without requiring multiple specialized devices
3Loss of information
If visual monitoring is not implemented, then device simplicity is maintained, but treatment monitoring capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrode assembly with an endoscope to integrate treatment delivery and visual monitoring functions, reducing information loss while managing device complexity through functional integration
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 flexible electrode assembly reduces tissue charring and enhances non-visual monitoring capabilities, allowing for more effective treatment of patient tissue.
Implementation Method 1
having a medical-treatment electrode body with a central lumen operatively connectable to a vacuum source and with an opening extending from the outer surface of the medical-treatment electrode body to the central lumen provides a vacuum to draw patient tissue into more intimate contact with the electrode
Data Source
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AI summary
One medical-treatment electrode assembly includes a medical-treatment flexible electrode supported on the outer surface of a sidewall of a flexible tube which is insertable into a patient. Another assembly includes two electrodes supported on the outer surface of a flexible tube, wherein a video camera of a flexible endoscope inserted into the tube can view patient tissue between the two electrodes. An additional assembly includes apparatus for moving patient tissue into a sidewall opening of a tube which supports a medical-treatment electrode to tighten patient tissue outside the tube against the medical-treatment electrode. A method for medical treatment includes moving patient tissue into a sidewall opening of a tube which supports a medical-treatment electrode to tighten patient tissue outside the tube into substantially full contact with the medical-treatment electrode.