Optical Tissue Contact Detection for Electrosurgical Energy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical devices lack effective methods for ensuring precise contact between energy applicators and tissue during procedures, which can lead to inefficient energy delivery and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical system with a surface-contact detection device that uses optical transmitters and receivers to determine contact with tissue, allowing for controlled energy transmission and preventing energy delivery if contact is not established.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrosurgical devices transmit energy to tissue without contact detection, then energy delivery efficiency is improved, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system performs contact verification before energy transmission begins. The lens member detects tissue contact through optical reflection changes, and only when contact is confirmed does the system enable energy delivery, preventing premature or misplaced energy application that could cause tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors contact status during energy delivery using the optical detection system. The lens member provides real-time feedback on whether the applicator maintains proper tissue contact, allowing the system to adjust or terminate energy delivery based on actual contact conditions, thus preventing tissue damage while maintaining efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrosurgical devices use contact detection systems, then tissue damage risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens member acts as an intermediary optical element that simplifies the detection mechanism. By placing the lens at the applicator tip, it directly interacts with tissue to modulate optical signals, converting complex contact mechanics into simple optical reflection changes that are easy to detect with basic photodetectors, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system utilizes the tissue itself as part of the detection mechanism. When tissue contacts the lens member, it naturally alters the optical path and reflection properties, eliminating the need for separate complex sensors or actuators. The tissue's physical presence serves the dual purpose of being both the treatment target and the detection signal source.
3Measurement precision
If electrosurgical devices ensure precise contact confirmation, then energy application accuracy is improved, but procedural time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system performs rapid contact verification before energy transmission begins. The lens member detects tissue contact through optical reflection changes, and only when contact is confirmed does the system enable energy delivery, preventing premature or misplaced energy application that could cause tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection operates continuously throughout the procedure, providing uninterrupted contact monitoring. This allows the system to maintain precise energy delivery without periodic interruptions for contact checks, as the detection occurs simultaneously with treatment delivery, eliminating additional procedural steps while ensuring continuous accuracy.
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
Ensures accurate and safe energy application to tissue by confirming contact before energy transmission, enhancing procedural efficiency and minimizing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
one or more optical receivers to receive optical signals reflected by the lens member
Implementation Method 2
The lens member is adapted to allow the one or more optical transmitters and the one or more optical receivers to communicate when the lens member is disposed in contact with tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A method of directing energy to tissue includes the initial step of positioning an energy applicator for delivery of energy to target tissue. The energy applicator is provided with a surface-contact detection device including one or more optical transmitters and one or more optical receivers. The energy applicator is operably associated with an electrosurgical power generating source. The method also includes the steps of determining whether a radiating portion of the energy applicator is disposed in contact with the target tissue based on a determination of whether optical signals generated by the one or more optical transmitters result in reflected optical signals received at the one or more optical receivers, and if it is determined that the radiating portion of the energy applicator is disposed in contact with tissue, transmitting energy from the electrosurgical power generating source through the radiating portion to the target tissue.