Optical Tissue Contact Detection in Electrosurgical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 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
1Reliability
If electrosurgical devices transmit energy to tissue without contact detection, then energy delivery is simplified and faster, but tissue damage may occur due to improper contact
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system performs contact verification before energy transmission is initiated. The lens member detects tissue contact in advance by analyzing reflected optical signals, ensuring proper contact is established before the electrosurgical device activates energy delivery, thereby preventing tissue damage from improper contact
Solution Approach 2:
A lens member acts as an intermediary optical element between the optical transmitter and receiver. This lens detects tissue contact by analyzing changes in reflected optical signals and communicates contact status to the control system, enabling safe energy application without requiring direct mechanical contact sensors on the energy applicator
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical detection system is added to ensure contact, then tissue damage is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens member serves multiple functions: it focuses optical signals for transmission and reception, detects tissue contact through analysis of reflected light patterns, and provides structural support for the optical components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while effectively minimizing tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system utilizes the tissue itself as part of the detection mechanism. When tissue contacts the lens member, the tissue's optical properties (refractive index, surface characteristics) automatically modify the reflected light patterns, enabling the system to detect contact without requiring external sensors or additional active components that would increase complexity
3Measurement precision
If contact detection is implemented, then energy delivery precision is improved, but procedural time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system operates continuously or in rapid periodic cycles during the approach and contact phases. The optical transmitter emits light signals and the receiver analyzes reflected patterns at high frequency, enabling real-time contact detection with millisecond response time. This periodic operation provides high measurement precision while minimizing the time added to the procedure, as contact verification occurs naturally during the surgeon's normal tissue approximation motion
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
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical system includes an energy applicator adapted to direct energy to tissue, an electrosurgical power generating source, and a surface-contact detection device. The surface-contact detection device is operably associated with the energy applicator. The surface-contact detection device is communicatively-coupled to the electrosurgical power generating source. The surface-contact detection device includes at least one optical transmitter to generate optical signals, a lens member configured to reflect optical signals generated by the optical transmitter when the lens member is disposed in contact with tissue, and at least one optical receiver to receive optical signals reflected by the lens member. The electrosurgical power generating source is adapted to transmit energy to the energy applicator when it is determined that the lens member is disposed in contact with tissue.