Plasma-generating device cathode tip insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma devices with small dimensions face challenges in preventing material degradation due to high cathode temperatures, leading to contaminated plasma and potential harm in surgical applications, particularly in laparoscopic surgery where large devices are unwieldy and may cause incorrect electric arcs.
Innovation Solution
A plasma-generating device with a plasma chamber that creates a space around the cathode tip, allowing for smaller outer dimensions and reducing the risk of material damage, combined with an insulator element that protects the device from high temperatures and optimizes the position of the cathode tip to ensure proper electric arc generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cathode is placed in direct contact with the plasma channel to prevent incorrect electric arcs, then electric arc stability is improved, but the plasma channel dimensions must be considerably larger to avoid material damage from high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulator element as an intermediary component positioned between the cathode and plasma channel. This mediator allows the cathode to be in direct contact with the plasma channel for stable arc generation while the insulator protects the plasma channel material from thermal damage, resolving the contradiction between arc stability and material protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the cathode (conductive material) with an insulator element (electrically insulating material). This composite structure enables simultaneous achievement of electrical contact for arc stability and thermal isolation for material protection, allowing compact plasma channel dimensions
2Ease of operation
If the plasma channel dimensions are reduced to enable smaller device dimensions for laparoscopic surgery, then ease of operation is improved, but material adjacent to the cathode is heated to high temperatures causing degradation and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator element serves as a protective intermediary between the high-temperature cathode region and the plasma channel material. This mediator shields the plasma channel from direct thermal exposure, enabling compact device dimensions suitable for laparoscopic surgery without causing material degradation or plasma contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the thermal protection function from the plasma channel structure itself and separates it into a dedicated insulator element. This extraction allows the plasma channel to be minimized for ease of operation while the insulator independently handles thermal protection, preventing material degradation
3Reliability
If the cathode tip is positioned close to the plasma channel opening for proper electric arc generation, then electric arc stability is improved, but the risk of material damage from high temperatures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator element is positioned as a mediator between the cathode tip and surrounding materials. It enables the cathode tip to be positioned close to the plasma channel opening for stable arc generation while the insulator barrier prevents harmful thermal effects from reaching adjacent materials
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 enables the creation of plasma devices with smaller dimensions that can achieve high temperatures (up to 15,000 °C) while preventing material degradation and ensuring accurate electric arc generation, suitable for precise surgical applications like laparoscopic surgery.
Implementation Method 1
the high temperature of which allows treatment of the tissue adjacent to the tip
Implementation Method 2
a plasma-generating device, comprising an anode, a cathode and a plasma channel which in its longitudinal direction extends at least partly between said cathode and said anode
Implementation Method 3
ensure proper electric arc generation
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a plasma-generating device, comprising an anode, a cathode and a plasma channel which in its longitudinal direction extends at least partly between said cathode and said anode. The end of the cathode which is directed to the anode has a cathode tip tapering towards the anode, a part of said cathode tip extending over a partial length of a plasma chamber connected to the plasma channel. The plasma chamber has a cross-sectional surface, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plasma channel, which exceeds the cross-sectional surface, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plasma channel, of an opening, positioned closest to the cathode, of the plasma channel. The invention also concerns a plasma surgical device and use of such a plasma surgical device.