Insulated Electrode Shaft Tip for Combined Fluid and Energy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices require separate use of injection needles and energy delivery devices, leading to increased procedure duration and risk of tissue damage due to inadvertent contact, and forming insulated energy delivery devices is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A method of forming a medical device with an insulated distal tip by contacting an electrode shaft with insulating material, heating it to couple it to the shaft, and shaping the insulating material to form an insulation tip, which includes steps like using a sacrificial element and laser heating to create a durable insulation tip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate injection needles and energy delivery devices are used, then fluid delivery and energy delivery can be performed independently, but procedure duration increases and risk of tissue damage increases due to device exchange and inadvertent contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the injection needle and energy delivery device into a single integrated device. The insulated distal tip of the electrode shaft allows fluid to be delivered through the electrode shaft while the electrode delivers energy to tissue, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing procedure time and tissue damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode shaft is designed to perform multiple functions: it can deliver fluid through its lumen and deliver electrical energy to tissue through its conductive surface. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace both the injection needle and energy delivery device
2Reliability
If an insulated energy delivery device is formed with traditional methods, then electrical insulation is achieved, but the process is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a coating of insulating material to the distal tip of the electrode shaft, changing the surface properties of the electrode to provide electrical insulation. This coating approach is simpler and more cost-effective than traditional insulation methods while achieving the required electrical insulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical insulation structures with a simpler coating application process. Instead of assembling separate insulated components, the insulating material is applied as a coating to the electrode shaft surface, reducing manufacturing complexity
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 method enables efficient, safe, and cost-effective delivery of electrical energy and fluid to tissue with reduced risk of tissue damage, allowing for precise tissue manipulation and fluid delivery in medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
heating the insulating material to couple the insulating material to the distal portion of the electrode shaft
Implementation Method 2
heating the insulating material to at least partially melt the insulating material
Implementation Method 3
laser heating to create a durable insulation tip
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~4D
AI summary
A method of forming an energy delivery portion of a medical device includes contacting a distal portion of an electrode shaft with an insulating material, and heating the insulating material to couple the insulating material to the distal portion of the electrode shaft to form an insulation tip. The distal portion of the electrode shaft includes one or more surface contours to entrain the insulating material.