Fluid Temperature Control for Electrosurgical Tissue Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cooling fluids during tissue treatment with energy-based technologies like RF, MW, or US waves face inefficiencies due to tissue dessication and charring, leading to reduced energy transfer and inconsistent temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a fluid temperature control apparatus with heat transfer devices and membranes that maintain thermal communication with a solution bag or membrane, enabling controlled temperature supply to electrosurgical devices through a fluid conduit, allowing for efficient heat transfer and consistent cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If energy-based treatment (RF, MW, US waves) is applied to tissue, then tissue heating and treatment effectiveness improve, but tissue dessication and charring occur leading to reduced energy transfer
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the energy-based treatment device and the tissue. The fluid absorbs excess thermal energy and prevents direct thermal damage to the tissue while allowing controlled heating for treatment. The fluid acts as a heat sink and mediator that enables sustained energy transfer without causing dessication or charring.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid utilizes phase transitions (particularly evaporation and vaporization) to absorb large amounts of thermal energy from the tissue and treatment interface. As the fluid evaporates, it carries away excess heat through latent heat of vaporization, effectively cooling the tissue and preventing thermal damage while maintaining treatment efficacy.
2Reliability
If cooling fluid is applied to prevent tissue dessication, then tissue moisture is maintained and energy transfer is improved, but temperature control becomes inconsistent with existing methods
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensing and feedback control system is implemented to continuously monitor the temperature of the cooling fluid and the tissue interface. The system adjusts fluid flow rate, cooling power, or other parameters in real-time based on temperature feedback, ensuring consistent and reliable temperature control throughout the treatment process while maintaining high treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid delivery system is designed to provide continuous, uninterrupted cooling throughout the entire treatment process. The fluid flows continuously through the treatment interface, ensuring sustained temperature control and preventing thermal damage without interruption, thereby maintaining consistent treatment efficiency and reliability.
3Temperature
If pre-chilling of cooling fluid is performed, then initial cooling effect is achieved, but efficient temperature control during treatment is not provided and additional preparation time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary setup of the cooling fluid delivery infrastructure (piping, pumps, temperature control mechanisms) during device assembly or before patient arrival, but avoids time-consuming pre-chilling of large fluid volumes. The cooling capability is pre-established through system configuration rather than thermal preparation, eliminating wait time while maintaining the ability to provide efficient temperature control when treatment begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces thermal pre-chilling (a time-consuming thermal process) with mechanical or electronic temperature control mechanisms. Active cooling systems using compressors, thermoelectric coolers, or controlled circulation can rapidly adjust fluid temperature on-demand without requiring extended pre-chilling periods, thus eliminating preparation time delays while maintaining precise temperature control during treatment.
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 approach ensures more consistent and efficient tissue treatment by maintaining controlled fluid temperatures, reducing tissue dessication, and enhancing energy transfer during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a solution bag and/or at least one heat transfer membrane residing in thermal communication with the at least one heat transfer device
Implementation Method 2
The fluid conduit is configured to enable heat transfer across the one or more heat transfer surfaces of the one or more heat transfer membranes upon flow of fluid through the fluid conduit in the path
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling temperature of a fluid used during treatment of biological tissue includes a fluid temperature control apparatus. The apparatus includes at least one heat transfer device and a solution bag and/or a heat transfer membrane. The solution bag and/or the heat transfer membrane reside in thermal communication with the heat transfer device. When the solution bag and/or the heat transfer membrane is fluidically coupled to an electrosurgical device, fluid is supplied to the electrosurgical device at a controlled temperature during a surgical procedure utilizing the electrosurgical device to enable more efficient treatment of the biological tissue. A corresponding method includes fluidically coupling the fluid temperature control apparatus to the electrosurgical device and supplying fluid at a controlled temperature during a surgical procedure utilizing the electrosurgical device to enable more efficient treatment of the biological tissue.