Medical Device Shaft and Electrode Coupling for Fluid and Energy Delivery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices require separate procedures for delivering electrical energy and injecting fluid into tissue, leading to increased procedure duration and risk due to the need for device exchange and potential changes in needle or energy delivery device types.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a shaft and electrode configuration that allows for the delivery of electrical energy and fluid through a single device, featuring interchangeable electrodes with different fluid flow paths and insulation patterns, enabling efficient and flexible tissue treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate injection needle and energy delivery device are used, then tissue treatment functions are available, but procedure duration increases and device exchange is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue treatment capabilityVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the injection needle and energy delivery device into a single integrated device. The shaft includes both a lumen for fluid injection and an electrode for energy delivery, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously without device exchange, thereby reducing procedure duration while maintaining tissue treatment versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device performs multiple functions - both injecting fluid and delivering electrical energy - through a single device structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices and reduces the time required for device exchange while providing comprehensive tissue treatment capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate injection needle and energy delivery device are used, then specific treatment functions can be performed, but device exchange increases procedural risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment function specificityVSAvoidprocedural safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the injection needle and energy delivery device into a single integrated device, the patent eliminates the need for device exchange during the procedure, thereby reducing procedural risk while maintaining the ability to perform specific treatment functions through the combined capabilities of the integrated device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If single device is used for both injection and energy delivery, then procedure efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated device is segmented into distinct functional components: a shaft with a lumen for fluid injection and an electrode for energy delivery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while being part of a unified device, improving procedural efficiency without creating excessive overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable electrodes with different characteristics are used, then treatment flexibility improves, but device assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode configuration flexibilityVSAvoidelectrode assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode assembly is designed to be dynamically interchangeable, allowing users to change electrodes based on specific treatment requirements. The electrode can be coupled to or decoupled from the shaft, providing flexibility in electrode configuration while maintaining a relatively simple assembly structure that does not excessively increase device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 facilitates faster and safer medical procedures by allowing simultaneous or sequential delivery of electrical energy and fluid through a single device, reducing the need for device exchange and enhancing procedural efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

delivering electrical energy to or into tissue, with one or more electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a shaft including a lumen configured to direct a flow of fluid through the shaft and an electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS20250152238A1Medical devices and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A medical device includes a shaft including a lumen configured to direct a flow of fluid through the shaft and an electrode. A proximal end of the electrode and a distal end of the shaft form a coupling configured to releasably couple the proximal end of the electrode with the distal end of the shaft. When the proximal end of the electrode is coupled to the distal end of the shaft, fluid delivered through the lumen is emitted from the electrode.