Porous Electrode Tissue Coagulation and Cutting Apparatus

Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical devices require separate instruments for coagulation and cutting, leading to increased surgery time and the risk of tissue charring during electro-surgical resections, which complicates procedures and increases the complexity of achieving hemostasis.

Innovation Solution

A single electro-surgical apparatus with a clamp element and an adjustable cutting element, featuring porous electrodes that coagulate tissue and a cutting element that can be positioned to cut coagulated tissue, allowing for simultaneous or sequential coagulation and cutting functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate instruments are used for coagulation and cutting, then hemostasis can be achieved, but surgery time increases and procedural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemostasis achievementVSAvoidsurgery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines coagulation and cutting functions into a single electro-surgical apparatus. The device includes a clamp element with porous electrodes for coagulation and a cutting element with a cutting edge for cutting, both integrated into one instrument that can be operated sequentially or simultaneously to achieve hemostasis while reducing surgery time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electro-surgical apparatus is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both coagulation and cutting operations. The clamp element with porous electrodes enables coagulation, while the adjustable cutting element enables cutting, allowing a single instrument to replace multiple separate surgical tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate instruments are used for coagulation and cutting, then hemostasis can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemostasis achievementVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines coagulation and cutting functions into a single electro-surgical apparatus. The device includes a clamp element with porous electrodes for coagulation and a cutting element with a cutting edge for cutting, both integrated into one instrument that can be operated sequentially or simultaneously to achieve hemostasis while reducing surgery time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electro-surgical apparatus is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both coagulation and cutting operations. The clamp element with porous electrodes enables coagulation, while the adjustable cutting element enables cutting, allowing a single instrument to replace multiple separate surgical tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If electro-surgical resection is performed, then tissue can be cut, but tissue charring occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue resection efficiencyVSAvoidtissue charring

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies coagulation to the tissue before cutting. The clamp element with porous electrodes coagulates the tissue first, sealing blood vessels and preventing charring during subsequent cutting. This preliminary coagulation action protects the tissue from thermal damage while maintaining resection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the electrical current parameters to achieve coagulation without excessive heating. By adjusting the current density and duration in the coagulation phase before cutting, the device prevents tissue charring while maintaining effective tissue resection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution reduces surgery time by eliminating the need for multiple instruments, minimizes tissue charring, and effectively achieves hemostasis by allowing both coagulation and cutting with the same device, improving procedural efficiency and reducing complications.

Implementation Method 1

when electrical current is conducted through the porous electrodes and the tissue portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

coagulate the tissue portion held between the porous electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoagulation: Coagulation

Implementation Method 3

electrical current is conducted through the adjustable cutting element and the coagulated tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

cutting of the coagulated tissue portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAblation: Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS8906017B2Apparatus system and method for coagulating and cutting tissue

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A combination tissue coagulation and cutting apparatus, system and method for coagulating and cutting tissue. A clamp element includes first and second clamp members having respective first and second porous electrodes, such as sintered metal electrodes. A portion of tissue, such as a blood vessel, is held between the porous electrodes, and fluid from a fluid source can pass through the porous electrodes. The tissue portion can be coagulated when electrical current is applied to the first and second porous electrodes, and an adjustable cutting element that is associated with the clamp members is positioned to cut a segment or all of the coagulated tissue portion. In this manner, the same surgical instrument is used to coagulate and cut tissue.