Fluid Cooled Ultrasonic Waveguide for Tissue Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic surgical instruments often overheat during use, potentially damaging surrounding tissue due to the high temperatures reached by the waveguide, which can hinder surgical efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
The integration of fluid-cooled components within the ultrasonic surgical instrument, utilizing cooling ducts to direct cooling fluids such as air, CO2, or saline to the waveguide, along with a coolant delivery unit that can be activated automatically or by a surgeon, and optionally includes temperature sensors to manage cooling based on temperature thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ultrasonic energy is used to cut and coagulate tissue, then cutting speed and coagulation efficiency are improved, but the waveguide temperature increases to dangerous levels causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling fluid (saline, air, or CO2) is introduced as an intermediary substance between the ultrasonic waveguide and the surrounding tissue. The fluid flows through internal channels within the waveguide, absorbing heat from the ultrasonic blade and preventing direct thermal contact with adjacent tissue structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles by pumping cooling fluid through internal channels of the waveguide. A pump delivers the cooling fluid under pressure through inlet conduits, and the fluid circulates through the waveguide structure to remove heat, with outlet conduits positioned to direct cooled fluid away from the surgical site.
2Power
If high power ultrasonic energy is applied to achieve faster cutting, then surgical efficiency is improved, but the blade temperature increases requiring cooling intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is segmented into functional zones with internal cooling channels integrated throughout its structure. The cooling system divides the heat removal function into multiple segments along the length of the waveguide, with cooling fluid flowing through distributed channels to remove heat at multiple locations simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal parameters of the waveguide by introducing a cooling fluid that absorbs heat through phase change or temperature differential. The cooling fluid temperature, flow rate, and pressure are adjusted to maintain the ultrasonic blade at safe operating temperatures while preserving high power cutting capability.
3Reliability
If cooling fluid is introduced to prevent tissue damage, then tissue safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional cooling components
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the existing ultrasonic waveguide structure by integrating internal cooling channels within the blade itself. The cooling system combines multiple functions (heat removal, tissue protection, and potentially irrigation) into a single integrated fluid delivery system, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the ultrasonic blade, protects surrounding tissue from thermal damage, and can provide irrigation to clear the surgical field. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall device architecture.
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
This solution enables quicker cooling of the ultrasonic blade, prevents tissue damage, allows for faster surgical procedures, and enables the instrument to be used for tissue manipulation beyond cutting, such as grasping, by maintaining lower blade temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
one or more cooling ducts disposed at a distal end of the shaft and configured to direct a cooling fluid to the waveguide
Implementation Method 2
cooling fluid may include air, CO2, and/or saline, which are commonly available in a surgical environment and possess the thermal mass necessary to effectively cool a waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature.