Electrosurgical Generator Phase Interference for Emission Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrosurgical generators face challenges in optimizing emissions during simultaneous activation, leading to potential tissue damage and collateral damage due to inadequate control over power and waveform delivery, which affects the precision and safety of surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A modular electrosurgical generator platform that compares and adjusts the relative phase of multiple energy waveforms delivered through separate generators or micro-catheters to achieve either constructive or destructive interference, optimizing energy delivery and minimizing emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple electrosurgical generators are activated simultaneously, then surgical productivity is improved, but harmful electromagnetic emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical productivityVSAvoidelectromagnetic emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies destructive interference to convert harmful electromagnetic emissions into beneficial effects. By introducing a phase shift between waveforms from multiple generators, the system creates cancellation of harmful emissions while preserving the useful surgical energy delivery function, thus converting a harmful byproduct into a beneficial outcome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the phase parameter of the electrical waveforms to optimize the balance between productivity and emissions. By adjusting the phase shift between simultaneous generator activations, the system modifies the interference pattern to reduce harmful emissions while maintaining effective tissue treatment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If electrosurgical power is increased to improve surgical effect, then surgical effectiveness is improved, but tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrosurgical powerVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates real-time monitoring and feedback mechanisms that detect tissue response parameters and adjust power delivery accordingly. This feedback control allows the system to maintain effective surgical power levels while preventing excessive power that would cause tissue damage, dynamically optimizing the power-tissue interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic waveform patterns with controlled duty cycles to deliver electrosurgical energy. By using pulsed rather than continuous energy delivery, the system achieves effective surgical effects while allowing tissue recovery periods, thereby reducing cumulative tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Manufacturing precision

If waveform parameters are adjusted to optimize surgical mode, then surgical precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidwaveform control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal waveform generation system that can produce multiple surgical modes (cutting, coagulation, blending) through a single integrated platform. By using a common generator with adjustable parameters rather than separate dedicated generators for each function, the system achieves surgical precision across different modes while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances the precision and safety of electrosurgical procedures by optimizing energy delivery, reducing tissue damage and collateral effects, and minimizing radiation exposure for medical staff and patients.

Implementation Method 1

High frequency electrical energy, e.g., radio frequency (RF) energy, is produced by the electrosurgical generator and applied to the tissue by an electrosurgical tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS9987068B2Systems and methods for optimizing emissions from simultaneous activation of electrosurgery generators

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A method for optimizing emissions from simultaneous activation of electrosurgery generators is presented including delivering first energy to a first target tissue via a first energy module, the first energy represented as a first waveform having a first phase, delivering second energy to a second target tissue via a second energy module, the second energy represented as a second waveform having a second phase, applying the first energy in a first energy mode, and applying the second energy in a second energy mode. The method further includes the steps of comparing the first phase of the first energy waveform with the second phase of the second energy waveform and adjusting a relative phase between the first and second energy waveforms based on the comparison step.