Continuous Loop Electrocautery for Uterus Mobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hysterectomy procedures, particularly transvaginal and laparoscopic methods, face challenges in efficiently mobilizing the uterus by dissecting surrounding blood vessels, tubular structures, and ligaments, leading to lengthy procedures, increased complications, and high costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a pair of opposed continuous loop electrodes introduced through the vaginal wall to clamp and sever blood vessels, tubular structures, and ligaments, followed by radiofrequency energy application to cauterize and mobilize the uterus, facilitating its removal through conventional techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open abdominal surgical procedure is used for hysterectomy, then access to large sized uterus and diseased organs is improved, but procedure time, anesthesia period, and postoperative complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical dissection tools (scalpels, forceps) with electrocautery devices that use electrical energy to cut and seal blood vessels simultaneously. This substitution allows for more efficient tissue separation and hemostasis during uterus mobilization, reducing overall procedure time while maintaining adequate exposure through the abdominal approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of tissue interaction by using controlled electrical current and heat to alter tissue properties. The electrocautery devices deliver specific energy parameters that enable precise cutting and coagulation, transforming the mobilization process from a time-consuming mechanical dissection to a more efficient energy-based procedure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If transvaginal hysterectomy is performed, then invasiveness is reduced, but dissection of surrounding structures becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrocautery devices through the vaginal approach to replace complex mechanical dissection of surrounding structures. The electrical energy-based cutting and sealing capability allows surgeons to efficiently separate the uterus from adjacent blood vessels and ligaments through the confined vaginal space, reducing procedural complexity despite the minimally invasive route.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces electrocautery instruments as intermediaries that can be inserted through the vaginal canal to perform dissection functions. These devices act as mediators between the surgeon and the target structures, enabling effective tissue separation and hemostasis without requiring extensive manual manipulation or complex surgical maneuvers through the vaginal approach.
3Measurement precision
If laparoscopic assistance is used for viewing, then surgical precision is improved, but procedure complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electrocautery devices that combine cutting and coagulation functions in a single instrument, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing overall procedural complexity. The multi-functional nature of these devices allows surgeons to perform multiple tasks (dissection, hemostasis, tissue sealing) with one tool, maintaining precision while simplifying the surgical workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the cutting and coagulation functions into a single electrocautery device, combining multiple surgical capabilities in one instrument. This consolidation reduces the number of separate tools and steps required, simplifying the overall procedure while maintaining the precision needed for delicate dissection of surrounding structures.
4Device complexity
If traditional dissection tools are used to cut and seal blood vessels, then simplicity of equipment is maintained, but procedure time and blood loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cutting tools with electrocautery devices that use electrical energy to simultaneously cut and seal blood vessels. This substitution eliminates the need for separate coagulation steps and reduces blood loss during dissection, significantly improving procedure efficiency while the devices remain relatively simple in design and operation.
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
This method reduces procedure time and complexity, minimizes postoperative complications, and lowers costs by effectively mobilizing the uterus, improving patient outcomes and simplifying the hysterectomy process.
Implementation Method 1
Radiofrequency or other energy is then applied through the continuous loop electrodes to sever and cauterize the blood vessels, tubular structures, and ligaments
Implementation Method 2
The continuous loop electrodes are then clamped together generally about the medial plane of the uterus so that the blood vessels, tubular structures, and ligaments are held therebetween. Radiofrequency or other energy is then applied through the continuous loop electrodes to sever and cauterize the blood vessels, tubular structures, and ligaments
Data Source
AI summary
An electrocautery device comprises first and second continuous loop electrode structures. The electrodes are typically coupled together at one end, permitting the electrodes to be introduced anteriorly and posteriorly over a uterine body. The electrodes may be clamped together, and radiofrequency energy may be delivered through the clamped electrodes to sever and cauterize blood vessels, tubular structures, and ligaments which connect the uterine body to surrounding tissue structures. The mobilized uterine body may then be removed by conventional hysterectomy.