Radial Antenna Tip for Monopolar Plasma Coagulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional monopolar argon plasma coagulation probes exhibit poor plasma ignition and sustain performance, especially when the probe tip is wet, due to disturbed argon flow and poor retention of the ceramic tip, leading to non-contact probes being used like contact coagulation probes.
Innovation Solution
A plasma coagulation applicator design featuring an elongate shaft with a radially extending gas flow channel and multiple electrode tips, each with a smooth curve, to improve gas flow symmetry and retention, using a counter-bore and headed pin for secure engagement, allowing for efficient plasma ignition and sustainment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electrode is placed in the centre of the conventional MAPC antenna, then the structure is simple, but the argon flow is disturbed and plasma ignition performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single central electrode is divided into multiple electrode tips arranged radially around the central axis. This segmentation allows argon gas to flow symmetrically through multiple channels without obstruction, improving plasma ignition reliability while maintaining structural simplicity through the radial symmetry of the design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode configuration transitions from a single-point central arrangement to a radial multi-dimensional arrangement with multiple tips extending from the center. This dimensional change creates multiple gas flow paths and improves plasma ignition performance by distributing the electrode function across multiple spatial locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the probe tip is wet, then contact coagulation may occur, but plasma ignition and sustain performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radial multi-tip electrode configuration creates multiple discrete plasma ignition points distributed around the probe tip. This segmentation ensures that even if some tips contact wet tissue, other tips can still generate and sustain plasma, maintaining overall system reliability and preventing complete failure of plasma ignition.
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrode tips may have different functional states during operation - some may be in contact with tissue while others remain in non-contact plasma mode. This local quality variation allows the system to adapt to wet conditions by distributing functionality across multiple tips with different local conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ceramic tip is loosely retained on the antenna body, then assembly is simple, but the tip detaches during clinical use
Solution Approach 1:
A retention mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the ceramic tip and the antenna body. This intermediary component provides secure mechanical engagement while maintaining the simplicity of the overall assembly process, preventing tip detachment during clinical use without complicating the manufacturing procedure.
4Ease of manufacture
If the electrode is not centrally located, then manufacturing may be easier, but gas flow symmetry is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The design intentionally creates symmetric gas flow channels through the radial arrangement of multiple electrode tips, compensating for any minor manufacturing variations in electrode positioning. The symmetric radial geometry ensures balanced gas distribution even with slight deviations from perfect central alignment, maintaining gas flow symmetry without requiring extreme manufacturing precision.
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
Enhances plasma ignition and sustainment distances, preventing direct tissue contact and improving the applicator's non-contact coagulation performance, even in wet conditions, by maintaining gas flow symmetry and secure tip retention.
Implementation Method 1
The applicator probe contains an electrode through which a high frequency electrical current is delivered to the target tissue using ionised argon gas (argon plasma)
Implementation Method 2
using ionised argon gas (argon plasma)
Implementation Method 3
a gas flow channel defined by the electrode and the elongate shaft and by the electrode and the applicator tip, the gas flow channel extending parallel to the longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft and extending radially outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis within the applicator tip
Data Source
AI summary
A monopolar ionisable gas plasma coagulation applicator includes: an elongate shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and defining a hollow inner volume and a longitudinal axis of the applicator; an applicator tip mounted on the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the applicator tip defines an aperture extending parallel to the longitudinal axis; and an electrode extending through the inner volume and with the applicator tip, the electrode includes an open channel having an electrode tip, wherein the electrode tip is received within the hollow inner volume of the shaft and the aperture of the applicator tip to define a gas flow channel defined by the electrode and the elongate shaft and by the electrode and the applicator tip, the gas flow channel extending parallel to the longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft and extending outwards along the longitudinal axis within the applicator tip.