Insulating Tip Slit Directs High-Frequency Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical techniques using high-frequency current devices often cause unintended damage to surrounding tissues due to uncontrolled energy distribution during tissue cutting and coagulation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with an elongate member and an energy emitter surrounded by an insulating element, featuring a controlled opening to direct energy emission, and optionally a fluid lumen for delivering fluid to the tissue, allowing precise dissection and coagulation while minimizing damage to adjacent tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high frequency current device is used for tissue cutting, then tissue separation is effective, but surrounding tissues are inadvertently damaged due to uncontrolled energy distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating element is provided with an opening that directs energy emission to a specific localized area on the tissue. This ensures that high frequency current is delivered only to the targeted tissue region while surrounding areas remain protected by the insulating material, thus achieving effective tissue separation without damaging adjacent structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating element acts as an intermediary between the energy emitter and the surrounding tissues. It controls and directs the energy flow through its opening, allowing precise energy delivery to the target tissue while blocking energy propagation to non-target areas, thereby preventing inadvertent damage.
2Productivity
If energy is delivered in all directions from the emitter, then tissue cutting is achieved, but energy is wasted on non-target tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The opening in the insulating element creates a localized energy emission zone. The geometry and orientation of the opening are designed to confine energy delivery to the specific tissue area that requires cutting, preventing energy dissipation in unnecessary directions and reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating element segments the energy field by providing an opening that divides the potential energy distribution into targeted and non-targeted zones. Only the portion of energy directed through the opening reaches the tissue, while other portions are blocked, thereby reducing energy loss.
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 enables targeted energy delivery to tissues with reduced incidental damage to surrounding tissues, facilitating safer and more precise procedures in minimally invasive surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a device that uses a high frequency current, such as a monopolar hook or paddle
Implementation Method 2
an insulating element that is disposed around the energy emitter. The insulating element can have an opening for receiving energy therethrough from the energy emitter, and for controlling a direction of energy emitted from the energy emitter
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices and methods for dissecting and/or coagulating tissue are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided that includes an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, an energy emitter coupled to the distal end of the elongate member, and an insulating element that is disposed around the energy emitter. The insulating element can have an opening for receiving energy from the energy emitter, and the opening can be shaped to control a direction of energy emitted from the energy emitter.