Microwave Emitting Tip Structure for Distal-End Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave surgical instruments face issues with heat distribution, where the base end generates excessive heat while the tip end generates insufficient heat, leading to inadequate coagulation and hemostasis, especially when enlarged, limiting design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The central conductor is exposed at the tip end and bent towards the base end along the external conductor, with a concave slit on the external conductor to control microwave directivity, preventing loop antenna formation and enhancing heat generation at the tip end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the central conductor is exposed in the longitudinal direction for microwave radiation, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heat generation is excessive at the base end and insufficient at the tip end
Solution Approach 1:
The central conductor is bent into a curved shape along the external conductor instead of extending straight. This curvature redirects the microwave radiation path toward the tip end, ensuring that microwaves are radiated in the intended direction and heat is generated at the tip end rather than being lost through the base end. The curved configuration maintains manufacturing simplicity while solving the heat distribution problem.
2Volume of moving object
If the shape of the microwave surgical instrument is enlarged, then the device can treat larger tissue areas, but the microwave energy attenuation increases significantly reducing tip end heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
By bending the central conductor to follow the curvature of the external conductor, the microwave radiation is directed more efficiently toward the tip end even in enlarged devices. This curved path compensates for the increased distance and reduces energy attenuation, ensuring sufficient heat generation at the tip end regardless of device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The central conductor is positioned differently at different locations: at the base end it follows the external conductor's curvature, while at the tip end it extends outward for radiation. This localized positioning optimizes microwave radiation efficiency at each section, reducing overall energy attenuation in enlarged devices.
3Device complexity
If the central conductor extends straight along the axial direction, then the device structure is simple, but loop antenna formation may occur causing ineffective microwave radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The central conductor is bent into a curve that follows the external conductor rather than extending straight. This curvature prevents the formation of a closed loop structure, eliminating the risk of loop antenna effects that would cause microwaves to be trapped and fail to radiate effectively into the tissue.
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 configuration increases heat generation at the tip end, allowing effective coagulation and hemostasis of biological tissues, overcoming design limitations and ensuring successful treatment even in enlarged instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave device (1) capable of radiating microwaves, comprising: a central conductor (21) that transmits microwaves
Implementation Method 2
Microwaves are known to be capable of coagulating (immobilizing) biological tissues such as digestive organs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder, prostate, uterus, ovaries, bones, blood vessels, and intestines at low temperatures (e.g., 100°C or less)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(d-2)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
Provided is a microwave device capable of increasing an amount of heat generated at the distal end. The microwave device comprises a central conductor (21) that transmits microwaves, an insulator (22) covering the central conductor (21), and an external conductor (23) covering the insulator (22). The central conductor (21) is initially exposed to the outside from a distal portion (20a) of a microwave emitting unit (20), and an externally exposed portion (21a) of the exposed central conductor (21) is bent along an external conductor (23) toward the proximal portion side of the microwave emitting unit (20).