Movable Electrode Medical Device for Cutting and Hemostasis

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices require the exchange of injection and energy delivery devices during procedures, increasing duration and risk, and often fail to provide adequate energy delivery in both cutting and hemostasis modes.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a movable active electrode that can transition between extended and retracted positions, allowing for simultaneous energy delivery and fluid application without device removal, featuring a passive electrode and insulating members for controlled energy distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If device exchange is performed during procedure, then energy delivery capability is improved, but procedure duration and risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy delivery 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 medical device. The active electrode is positioned within the insertion device shaft, allowing both fluid injection and energy delivery functions to be performed by one device without requiring exchange between separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an injection device for delivering fluid to create a bleb and as an energy delivery device for RF ablation or cutting. The active electrode and passive electrode configuration enables the same device structure to perform multiple therapeutic functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If device exchange is performed during procedure, then energy delivery capability is improved, but procedure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy delivery capabilityVSAvoidprocedure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the injection needle and energy delivery device into a single integrated medical device. The active electrode is positioned within the insertion device shaft, allowing both fluid injection and energy delivery functions to be performed by one device without requiring exchange between separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If single device is used for both injection and energy delivery, then procedure efficiency is improved, but energy delivery adequacy worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure efficiencyVSAvoidenergy delivery adequacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable active electrode that can be extended or retracted within the insertion device shaft. This dynamic configuration allows the active electrode to be positioned at different depths and orientations, enabling adequate energy delivery for both cutting and hemostasis modes while maintaining the benefits of a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode system is segmented into an active electrode and a passive electrode (distal end cap). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each electrode's function and positioning, with the active electrode movable for precise energy delivery control and the passive electrode providing a return path for current.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If active electrode is extended for cutting mode, then cutting precision is improved, but hemostasis capability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidhemostasis capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable active electrode that can be extended or retracted within the insertion device shaft. This dynamic configuration allows the active electrode to be positioned at different depths and orientations, enabling adequate energy delivery for both cutting and hemostasis modes while maintaining the benefits of a single integrated device.

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

Enables efficient and safe tissue treatment by allowing for both cutting and hemostasis procedures without device removal, reducing procedure time and risk, while providing precise energy application and fluid delivery.

Implementation Method 1

delivering electrical energy to tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy delivery: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12594117B2Medical systems, devices, and related methods

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A medical device includes a shaft including a distal end including a passive electrode that defines a central opening extending through the passive electrode, and an active electrode within the central opening. The active electrode is movable between at least an extended position in which the active electrode does not contact the passive electrode, and a retracted position in which the active electrode contacts the passive electrode.