Electrosurgical Jaw Electrodes for Sealing and Cutting With Low Thermal Spread
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical instruments struggle to provide precise tissue sealing and cutting with minimal thermal damage and require multiple device interchanges during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical instrument with a coaxial transmission line for delivering microwave and radiofrequency energy, featuring movable jaws with electrodes for sealing and cutting tissue, allowing for a well-defined seal location with low thermal margin and reduced device interchanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microwave energy is delivered through bipolar electrode arrangement to seal tissue, then tissue sealing is achieved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a highly localized microwave field between the bipolar electrodes that concentrates energy precisely at the tissue interface. The electric field intensity is maximized locally between the electrodes while minimizing spread to surrounding tissue, achieving effective sealing with reduced thermal margin and collateral thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where microwave energy acts as the mediator between the bipolar electrode arrangement and the tissue. Instead of direct thermal contact or broad RF heating, microwaves serve as the intermediate energy carrier that delivers controlled thermal energy to the tissue for sealing while allowing precise control over the heating profile and depth.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrosurgical devices are used for sealing and cutting, then functional requirements are met, but device complexity and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges sealing and cutting functions into a single integrated electrosurgical instrument. The bipolar electrode arrangement with microwave delivery capability combines tissue sealing functionality with the ability to perform cutting through controlled thermal denaturation, eliminating the need for separate sealing devices and cutting devices and reducing device interchanges during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional electrosurgical instrument that can perform multiple surgical tasks including tissue sealing, cutting, and coagulation using a single device. The bipolar electrode configuration with microwave energy delivery enables the instrument to adapt to different surgical requirements without requiring replacement with specialized single-function devices.
3Productivity
If RF energy is used for cutting tissue, then tissue separation is achieved, but thermal margin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from traditional RF energy delivery to microwave frequency energy delivery for tissue cutting. This frequency parameter change enables more precise thermal control and localized heating, reducing the thermal margin and heat spread to surrounding tissues while maintaining effective cutting capability through controlled thermal denaturation of tissue proteins.
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
Enables precise tissue sealing and cutting with minimal thermal damage, facilitating efficient surgical procedures by reducing the need for multiple device exchanges.
Implementation Method 1
The instrument shaft comprises a (coaxial) transmission line for conveying microwave electromagnetic energy
Implementation Method 2
The microwave energy may be used to seal a vessel by thermal denaturation of extracellular matrix proteins (e.g. collagen) within the vessel wall
Implementation Method 3
deliver electromagnetic energy... to seal the tissue by coagulation or cauterisation
Implementation Method 4
a first isolating portion... wherein the first isolating portion electrically isolates the first electrode from the second electrode
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Various embodiments provide an electrosurgical instrument for sealing and/or cutting tissue. The instrument comprises an instrument shaft comprising a transmission line for conveying microwave and/or radiofrequency electromagnetic energy. The instrument comprises a first jaw attached to the instrument shaft and including a first surface, and a second jaw attached to the instrument shaft and including a second surface. The instrument comprises a first electrode for emitting microwave and radiofrequency energy, a second electrode for emitting microwave and/or radiofrequency energy, and a third electrode for emitting microwave and/or radiofrequency energy. The instrument includes a first isolating portion electrically isolating the first electrode from the second electrode. The first jaw and the second jaw can be moved between an open position, in which the tissue can be inserted between the first surface and the second surface, and a closed position, in which the first and second surfaces are brought together to clamp the tissue therebetween. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged on the first jaw. The first electrode protrudes from the first isolating portion. The third electrode is arranged on the second jaw.