Heated Resonant RF Cutting Device for Surgical Incisions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting devices for surgical incisions either lack the use of heat or require significant time to heat up and cool down, and direct current cauterizing probes often lose heat when in contact with tissue, making them inefficient for cutting and coagulation.

Innovation Solution

A heated resonant RF cutting device with a cutting and/or coagulating member that is electrically resonant at the frequency of a radio frequency generator, using a resistance wire to directly contact the target material, and is heated to a visible glow for efficient energy coupling during cutting and coagulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If direct current cauterizing probes are used to heat the cutting member, then the cutting member can be heated to a high temperature, but it takes a significant amount of time to heat up and cool down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting member temperatureVSAvoidheating and cooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct current resistive heating with radio frequency electromagnetic field heating. The RF generator creates an electromagnetic field that directly induces current in the cutting member, eliminating the need for direct current cables and contacts. This substitution enables rapid heating and cooling cycles while maintaining high temperatures, directly resolving the time loss contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic RF energy delivery to the cutting member, allowing it to be rapidly heated during the active phase and quickly cooled during the inactive phase. This periodic action enables precise thermal control with rapid transitions, solving the contradiction between achieving high temperature and minimizing heating/cooling time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Temperature

If direct current cauterizing probes are used, then heating can be achieved, but heat is lost the instant contact is made with the material to be cut

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting member temperatureVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based DC heating with contactless RF electromagnetic heating. The RF field penetrates through the tissue interface without requiring direct metal-to-tissue contact, eliminating the heat loss that occurs at the contact interface. This substitution maintains thermal energy efficiency while achieving effective cutting temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If RF current is transferred across tissue to make a cut with heat, then cutting can be achieved, but a significant amount of RF current must be transferred across tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting member temperatureVSAvoidRF current through tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes trans-tissue RF current transfer with direct RF induction in the cutting member. Instead of forcing current through the tissue to generate heat, the RF field directly induces current in the cutting member itself, which then heats the tissue through controlled contact. This dramatically reduces the RF current that must traverse the tissue, lowering energy consumption and improving safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device achieves rapid heating and cooling, maintaining effective heat transfer during cutting and coagulation, with the cutting head reaching temperatures that promote energy coupling to tissue, enhancing cutting efficiency and coagulation effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the cutting and/or coagulating member includes a resistance wire which is configured to directly contact a target cutting material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the cutting and/or coagulating member is electrically resonant at the frequency of the radio frequency generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS10441343B2Heated resonant cutting device and method of use thereof

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 GEISEL DONALD J

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a cutting and/or coagulating device that includes a cutting and/or coagulating member and a radio frequency generator such that an output of the radio frequency generator is connected to the cutting and/or coagulating member. The cutting and/or coagulating member is electrically resonant at the frequency of the radio frequency generator. Further, the cutting and/or coagulating member may include a resistance wire which is configured to directly contact a target cutting material. The cutting and/or coagulating member may be further heated to a visible glow. Furthermore, a method of cutting and/or coagulating is also contemplated.