Volumetrically Oscillating Plasma Flow for Surgical Tasks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical plasma devices are inadequate for performing the three primary surgical tasks of cutting, vaporization, and coagulation efficiently, as they require frequent device changes, leading to increased procedure duration and risk, and existing devices struggle with turbulence, bleeding control, and high-rate bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A system generating volumetrically oscillating plasma flows with controlled temperature zones that expand and contract, allowing for adjustable plasma flow properties to perform cutting, vaporization, and coagulation effectively using a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a plasma device uses a small outlet diameter to achieve turbulent plasma flow for cutting, then cutting performance is improved, but the device becomes unusable for coagulation that requires relatively large spot diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the plasma flow properties changeable through controlled oscillations. The plasma flow transitions from turbulent to laminar state dynamically, allowing the same device to perform both cutting (turbulent mode) and coagulation (laminar mode) functions effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the plasma flow by oscillating the flow characteristics. By controlling the oscillation frequency and amplitude, the plasma flow can switch between different states (turbulent/laminar, different temperatures), enabling multiple surgical functions from a single device with fixed geometry.
2Reliability
If a plasma device switches between different functions during surgery, then each function can be performed with appropriate device characteristics, but procedure duration and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single plasma device that can perform multiple surgical functions (cutting, coagulation, vaporization) through controlled oscillations of the plasma flow. This eliminates the need to switch between multiple specialized devices during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by applying oscillations to the plasma flow at controlled frequencies. The periodic oscillations allow the plasma to alternately perform different functions (cutting during high-velocity phases, coagulation during low-velocity phases), enabling multi-functionality within a single device.
3Temperature
If a plasma device uses high current pulses to achieve high temperature for tissue vaporization, then vaporization capability is improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed current with specific oscillation frequencies to generate high-temperature plasma. The periodic nature of the pulses allows controlled heating cycles that achieve vaporization temperatures while managing thermal load and device complexity through frequency-based control rather than continuous high-power delivery.
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 controlled execution of surgical tasks by maintaining effective plasma flow properties, reducing procedure complexity and risk through a single device capable of handling cutting, vaporization, and coagulation with improved bleeding control and reduced device changes.
Implementation Method 1
heating a plasma-generating gas to a first temperature with the low current level of the electric current, wherein the first temperature is at least 10,000 K, (2) heating the plasma-generating gas to a second temperature with the high level of the electric current, wherein the second temperature is at least 10,000 K above the first temperature
Implementation Method 2
A system for generating volumetrically oscillating plasma flow comprises a power supply capable of generating an electric current having a non-zero low current level and pulses reaching a high current level
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
Volumetrically oscillating plasma flows, the volume of which controllably expands and contracts with time, are disclosed. Volumetrically oscillating plasma flows are generated by providing an energy with a power density that changes with time to the plasma-generating gas to form a plasma flow. The changes in the energy power density result in plasma flow volumetric oscillations. Volumetric oscillations with a frequency of above 20,000 Hz result in ultrasonic acoustic waves, which are known to be beneficial for various medical applications. System for providing volumetrically oscillating plasma flows and a variety of surgical non-surgical applications of such flows are also disclosed.