Movable Optical Fiber for Electrosurgical Tissue Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical devices lack reliable optical sensing during tissue cutting due to debris obstruction, which complicates precise tissue discrimination and margin control, particularly in procedures like breast tumor surgery.
Innovation Solution
An optical tissue sensing device with a movable optical fiber system that changes position between cutting and sensing modes, using a lever mechanism to keep the sensing element clear of debris during cutting and allowing for real-time tissue feedback through optical measurements, enabling precise tissue discrimination and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical sensing element is positioned at the cutting edge during electrosurgery, then real-time tissue feedback is enabled, but debris from cutting obscures the optical measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensing device is designed with movable components that allow it to dynamically change position between a proximal position during cutting and a distal sensing position for measurements. This dynamic repositioning enables the system to adapt to different operational phases, maintaining measurement precision while avoiding debris contamination during the cutting phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates the cutting function and sensing function into distinct positional states. The sensing element can be retracted to a proximal position away from the cutting edge during electrosurgical cutting, then extended to a distal position for optical measurements. This segmentation of functions in space and time prevents debris from obscuring the optical measurements while maintaining real-time feedback capability.
2Reliability
If the optical sensing device remains stationary during cutting, then device complexity is reduced, but it cannot provide real-time feedback while avoiding debris contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensing device is integrated into the electrosurgical instrument housing, allowing it to serve multiple functions: providing real-time tissue feedback during cutting, repositioning to avoid debris, and maintaining a compact form factor. This multi-functional integration achieves reliable real-time feedback while managing device complexity through shared structural components.
3Measurement precision
If pathology tests are performed during surgery to detect positive margins, then tissue discrimination accuracy is improved, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensing device enables continuous real-time tissue feedback during the electrosurgical cutting process itself, rather than requiring interruption for separate pathology tests. The sensing operates continuously as cutting proceeds, allowing immediate detection of positive margins and eliminating the need for time-consuming frozen section analysis or touch-preparation cytology performed after resection.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensing provides preliminary real-time information about tissue composition during cutting, allowing the surgeon to adjust the resection boundaries before completing the procedure. This preliminary feedback prevents the need for additional corrective surgeries by ensuring adequate margins are achieved during the initial resection.
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 solution provides clear and reliable optical feedback during electrosurgery, reducing positive margins and the need for additional procedures by ensuring accurate tissue removal and allowing for real-time adjustments during cutting.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes an optical fiber with a distal end at the distal end portion and a proximal end connectable to an optical console
Data Source
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AI summary
A tissue sensing device for use with an electrosurgical knife is proposed which comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a grip portion there between. The proximal end portion is configured for attachment to a housing of the electrosurgical knife. The distal end portion is configured for movably supporting a blade of the knife. A distal end of an optical fiber is arranged at the distal end portion of the device and a proximal end of the optical fiber is connectable to an optical console, so that optical measurements can be performed at the distal end portion.