Insulated Electrode Tip for Combined Fluid Injection and Energy Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices require separate use of injection needles and energy delivery devices, increasing procedure duration and risk of tissue damage during procedures like Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR), Endoscopic Sub-mucosal Resection (ESR), and Endoscopic Sub-mucosal Dissection (ESD).

Innovation Solution

A medical device with an electrode shaft and insulated tip that combines energy delivery and fluid injection capabilities, featuring an insulative exterior layer and internal conductive material, allowing simultaneous application of electrical energy and fluid delivery while minimizing tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate injection needle and energy delivery device are used, then tissue injection and energy delivery can be performed, but procedure duration increases and tissue damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damage riskVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the injection needle and energy delivery device into a single integrated device. The needle shaft serves dual purposes: it delivers fluid through its lumen and delivers energy through its conductive structure. This merging eliminates the need for device exchange between injection and energy delivery steps, reducing procedure time and minimizing tissue exposure to multiple device insertions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle shaft is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a fluid delivery conduit and an energy delivery pathway. The electrode structure includes both a conductive shaft for energy delivery and an internal lumen for fluid injection, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions that previously required separate instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If energy delivery device is used, then tissue treatment is achieved, but unintended tissue contact occurs causing harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidunintended tissue contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies insulative coating to specific portions of the electrode shaft, creating zones with different electrical properties. The distal tip remains conductive for energy delivery, while proximal portions are coated with insulative material to prevent unintended contact. This local differentiation of electrical conductivity allows controlled energy delivery while protecting against harmful unintended contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The insulative coating acts as an intermediary layer between the conductive electrode shaft and tissue. This intermediate insulative material prevents direct electrical contact between the energized shaft and tissue in regions where contact should be avoided, while allowing contact in regions where energy delivery is intended.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If insulated tip is used, then unintended tissue contact is minimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the electrical conductivity parameter of the electrode shaft by applying insulative coating to specific regions. This parameter change creates zones of different conductivity without fundamentally altering the device structure. The insulative coating is applied through standard manufacturing processes, adding minimal complexity while significantly improving safety by preventing unintended tissue contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates safer and more efficient tissue treatment by reducing the need for device exchange, minimizing tissue contact, and enhancing procedural safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The tip may include an inner portion of conductive material and an exterior layer of insulative material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

The electrode shaft may be configured to deliver energy to a target site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy delivery: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

The electrode shaft may include an electrode shaft lumen configured to deliver fluid to the target site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid delivery through lumen:

Implementation Method 4

The exterior layer may be formed by a sputtering procedure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSputtering: Sputtering

Data Source

PatentUS12622738B2Medical devices and related methods

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A medical device includes an electrode shaft and a tip. The electrode shaft is configured to deliver energy to a target site and includes an electrode shaft lumen configured to deliver fluid to the target site. The tip is coupled to a distal tip of the electrode shaft. The tip includes an inner portion of conductive material and an exterior layer of insulative material. The tip includes a tip lumen fluidly connected to the electrode shaft lumen and configured to deliver fluid to the target site.