Flexible Plasma Electrode Tensioning for Precision Tissue Incision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue ablation and incision methods, such as those using lasers and mechanical cutting, face limitations including complexity, longer treatment times, rough tissue surfaces, and increased tissue damage, which affect the accuracy and effectiveness of surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An elongate electrode configured to flex and generate plasma for incising tissue, with an electrical energy source and tensioning element to provide precise and accurate incisions, allowing for the formation of narrow incisions with reduced tissue damage and improved tissue shaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If lasers are used for tissue ablation and incisions, then precision and smooth tissue surfaces can be achieved, but treatment time increases and tissue artifacts such as plume are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the laser-based mechanical/thermal ablation system with an electrode-based electrical discharge system. The electrode generates plasma through electrical energy to incise tissue, eliminating the need for laser beams and associated plume generation while achieving comparable incision precision with reduced treatment time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental energy delivery parameter from optical (laser) to electrical (electrode discharge). By using electrical energy to generate plasma at the electrode tip, the system achieves tissue incision with different physical mechanisms that reduce treatment time and eliminate plume artifacts while maintaining incision precision
2Productivity
If mechanical cutting with blades is used, then treatment time can be reduced, but incision accuracy decreases and tissue surfaces become rougher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical blade cutting with electrical discharge through plasma generation. The electrode delivers electrical energy to create plasma that incises tissue without mechanical contact, achieving both high cutting speed and high incision accuracy with smooth tissue surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of tissue material through plasma generation. The electrical discharge creates plasma that rapidly heats and vaporizes tissue, achieving clean incisions with smooth surfaces while maintaining high cutting speed, unlike mechanical blades that physically separate tissue
3Productivity
If electrodes are used for tissue treatment, then treatment time can be reduced, but tissue damage increases and incision accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating electrical energy discharge at the precise tip of the electrode where tissue contact occurs. The plasma generation is localized to the immediate treatment site, minimizing thermal diffusion and collateral tissue damage while maintaining high treatment speed and incision accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic electrical discharges through pulsed plasma generation. By delivering energy in controlled pulses rather than continuous discharge, the system achieves effective tissue incision while allowing thermal relaxation between pulses, reducing cumulative tissue damage and improving incision precision
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 faster and more accurate tissue incisions with decreased tissue damage, improving the outcomes of surgical procedures by providing precise control over the incision process and tissue shaping.
Implementation Method 1
An elongate electrode is configured to flex and generate plasma to incise tissue
Implementation Method 2
a tensioning element operatively coupled to the flexible elongate electrode. The tensioning element can be configured to provide tension to the elongate electrode to allow the elongate electrode to flex in response to the elongate electrode engaging the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An elongate electrode is configured to flex and generate plasma to incise tissue. An electrical energy source operatively coupled to the electrode is configured to provide electrical energy to the electrode to generate the plasma. A tensioning element is operatively coupled to the elongate electrode. The tensioning element can be configured to provide tension to the elongate electrode to allow the elongate electrode to flex in response to the elongate electrode engaging the tissue and generating the plasma. The tensioning element operatively coupled to the flexible elongate electrode may allow for the use of a small diameter electrode, such as a 5 μm to 20 μm diameter electrode, which can allow narrow incisions to be formed with decreased tissue damage. In some embodiments, the tensioning of the electrode allows the electrode to more accurately incise tissue by decreasing variations in the position of the electrode along the incision path.