Medical Device Tissue Classification via Impedance Reclassification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices struggle to accurately classify and treat different types of living tissues due to limitations in impedance-based tissue classification methods, leading to inconsistent treatment outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A medical device and control method that classifies living tissues into multiple types based on initial impedance values and reclassifies them using additional parameters like elapsed time and impedance variations, adjusting treatment energy settings accordingly to ensure precise and effective treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If single-parameter impedance classification is used, then device complexity is reduced, but tissue classification accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-parameter impedance classification to multi-dimensional classification by incorporating multiple parameters (initial impedance, impedance variation over time, treatment energy consumption) and temporal dimensions (different time periods during treatment). This dimensional expansion enables more accurate tissue type differentiation while maintaining manageable system complexity through systematic parameter integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The classification process is segmented into multiple stages: initial tissue type classification based on first parameters, reclassification based on second parameters detected after the first time period, and continuous monitoring during treatment. This segmentation allows the system to build classification accuracy progressively without requiring all parameters to be processed simultaneously, thus managing complexity while improving precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-parameter reclassification is implemented, then treatment precision is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where impedance values are monitored throughout the treatment process, and classification results are used to adjust treatment energy parameters. The reclassification mechanism provides feedback on tissue response to treatment, enabling real-time adjustments. This feedback approach systematically manages measurement complexity by using detected parameters to guide subsequent measurements and treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary tissue classification based on initial impedance values before full treatment begins. This preliminary action establishes a baseline classification that guides initial treatment energy settings, reducing the immediate burden of multi-parameter analysis during critical treatment phases while still achieving high precision through subsequent reclassification.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring and reclassification is performed, then treatment reliability is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic reclassification at specific time intervals during treatment rather than continuous monitoring. The system classifies tissue initially, treats for a first time period, then reclassifies based on second parameters, and continues with adjusted treatment. This periodic approach maintains reliability by ensuring tissue type verification at critical intervals while minimizing time loss by avoiding constant monitoring and reclassification.
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 accurate tissue classification and treatment, allowing for efficient and uniform application of treatment energy, thereby improving treatment efficacy and reducing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
the medical device controls the operation of the drive source that supplies power to the end effector in a period after a first time period based on the impedance value (hereinafter, referred to as an initial impedance value) of the living tissue detected in the first time period from the start of the supply of power to the end effector
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes: an end effector configured to apply treatment energy for treating a living tissue according to supplied power; a drive source configured to supply the power to the end effector; and a processor configured to classify, in a first time period after a supply of the power to the end effector is started, the living tissue into any one of a plurality of tissue types based on a first parameter detected in the first time period, control an operation of the drive source after the first time period based on the classified tissue type, reclassify the classified living tissue into any one of the plurality of tissue types based on a second parameter detected after the first time period, and control an operation of the drive source based on the tissue type into which the classified living tissue is reclassified.