Handheld Medical Device With Integrated Microwave Amplifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld medical devices for tissue ablation require remote electrosurgical power supplies and controllers, limiting surgeon mobility and increasing costs due to the need for cable assemblies that can cause interference and are cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A handheld medical device with a microwave amplifier unit integrated into the handle assembly, eliminating the need for remote power supplies and controllers, featuring a self-contained power source and control circuitry, and allowing modular exchange of components for different surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a remote electrosurgical generator and cable assembly are used to transmit energy, then the device can deliver microwave energy to tissue, but the surgeon's mobility is limited and costs increase due to cable assemblies causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrosurgical generator, microwave amplifier unit, and control circuitry into an integrated handheld device housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate remote generators and cable assemblies, thereby improving surgeon mobility while reducing device complexity and eliminating cable-related interference issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (such as a wireless transceiver or near-field communication interface) that enables energy transmission without physical cables. This intermediary replaces the cable assembly as the mediation channel between the generator and the surgical instrument, resolving the contradiction by eliminating cable-related constraints while maintaining energy delivery capability
2Reliability
If a cable assembly is used to connect the surgical instrument to the generator, then energy can be transmitted, but stray leakage of microwave energy causes interference to wireless networks and medical equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable assembly from the system by integrating all necessary energy generation, amplification, and transmission components directly into the handheld device. This removal eliminates the cable as a potential source of microwave energy leakage and interference, while the integrated design maintains reliable energy transmission through direct internal connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of cable-related interference into a benefit by designing an integrated wireless system. The microwave energy that could have leaked through cables is now contained and directed through controlled wireless transmission paths, transforming a harmful interference source into a clean, interference-free energy delivery mechanism
3Adaptability or versatility
If a remote generator is used, then the device can function, but costs increase and the device is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the remote generator, microwave amplifier, and control systems into a single integrated handheld unit. This consolidation maintains full device functionality for tissue ablation while eliminating the need for separate remote equipment, thereby reducing system complexity and configuration requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated handheld device incorporates multiple functions (electrosurgery, microwave ablation, and control) within a single unit, making the device universally capable of performing various surgical procedures without requiring additional remote equipment or complex system configurations
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
Enhances surgeon mobility, reduces costs by eliminating the need for cable assemblies, and improves surgical efficiency with a self-powered and modular device capable of various surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A microwave amplifier unit is disposed within the handle assembly and is adapted to amplify a high-frequency input signal to generate a high-frequency output signal to be transmitted to the probe
Implementation Method 2
featuring a self-contained power source and control circuitry
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A medical device includes a handle assembly and a probe-and-amplifier assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle body defining a chamber therein. The probe-and-amplifier assembly includes a probe and a microwave amplifier unit. The probe extends distally from the distal end of the handle assembly. The microwave amplifier unit is disposed within the chamber. The microwave amplifier unit and the probe are mechanically coupled to one another to form a unitary body. The probe-and-amplifier assembly is selectively removable from the handle assembly.