Electric Power Source Device for High-Frequency Tissue Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-frequency treatment systems face challenges in accurately adjusting output voltage and current to improve treatment efficiency and accuracy when dealing with varying tissue impedance during procedures like sealing blood vessels.

Innovation Solution

An electric power source device that controls output to a treatment instrument by acquiring initial tissue impedance, determining a control switching time point when impedance is minimized, and switching between constant-electric-power and constant-voltage control based on set parameters to optimize energy delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If constant power control is used throughout the treatment process, then energy delivery is simplified, but treatment accuracy deteriorates due to impedance variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidtreatment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between constant power control and constant voltage control based on real-time impedance detection. When tissue impedance decreases below a threshold during treatment, the system transitions from constant power to constant voltage control, allowing adaptive response to tissue conditions while maintaining treatment accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control parameters (power vs. voltage) are changed based on impedance conditions. The system monitors tissue impedance and adjusts the control mode accordingly - using constant power control initially, then switching to constant voltage control when impedance drops, optimizing both simplicity and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high-frequency current is continuously applied to seal blood vessels, then sealing efficiency is improved, but energy overshoot occurs causing tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing efficiencyVSAvoidtissue damage from energy overshoot

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors tissue impedance during high-frequency current application and uses this feedback to detect when the vessel is properly sealed (indicated by impedance minimum). This real-time feedback prevents energy overshoot by stopping or reducing power delivery at the optimal sealing point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by detecting impedance changes before excessive energy delivery occurs. By monitoring impedance trends and predicting the sealing point, the system prepares to adjust power delivery in advance, preventing tissue damage from energy overshoot

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If output voltage and current are not adjusted according to tissue impedance, then treatment process is simplified, but treatment accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidtreatment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting tissue impedance and switching control modes without external intervention. The impedance detection and control switching occur autonomously based on predefined criteria, maintaining treatment accuracy while keeping the user interface simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 approach allows for precise and efficient treatment by stabilizing energy output, ensuring optimal tissue sealing while minimizing energy overshoot and variation, thus enhancing treatment accuracy and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an electric power source device configured to control an output to a treatment instrument that treats living tissue with a high-frequency current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh-frequency current: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

living tissue grasped by grasping members is heated when a high-frequency current flows through the living tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11317960B2Electric power source device, high-frequency treatment system, and actuating method of electric power source

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A processor of an electric power source device exercises control over a power output before a control switching time point based on a value related to initial impedance, and determines the control switching time point upon detecting that a value related to impedance of a living tissue is at a minimum. The processor sets a set electric-power value of the power output based on a parameter related to controlling the power output before the control switching time point, and performs constant-electric-power control by controlling the power output using the electric-power value at and after the control switching time point.