Reconfigurable Electrode for Versatile Electrosurgical Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical tools for endoscopic procedures often require tool exchange to perform different tasks due to limited electrode configurations, restricting their versatility during minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical device with a re-configurable electrode that can move axially and optionally rotate between positions, allowing it to switch between surface ablation and cutting functions, and featuring a shaft with an interior channel for negative pressure and optional fluid control, along with temperature and impedance sensing for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single electrosurgical tool with fixed electrode configuration is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and versatility are limited requiring tool exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is designed to be moveable relative to the shaft, allowing it to translate axially between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration enables the same electrode to perform different functions (surface ablation when retracted, cutting when extended) without requiring multiple fixed electrodes or tool exchanges, thus improving adaptability while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A single electrode structure is designed to perform multiple functions by changing its position. The hook-shaped electrode can be retracted for surface ablation of cartilage and extended for cutting tissue structures, making one tool universal for multiple electrosurgical tasks that previously required separate specialized tools
2Productivity
If multiple specialized tools are used for different tasks, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and procedural time increase due to tool exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The electrosurgical device integrates multiple functions in a single tool. The moveable hook-shaped electrode provides both surface ablation capability (when retracted) and cutting capability (when extended), eliminating the need to exchange between separate ablation and cutting tools during the procedure, thereby improving productivity and reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic reconfiguration of the electrode through axial movement allows rapid switching between functions without tool exchange. The electrode can be extended or retracted as needed during the procedure, enabling continuous workflow and eliminating the downtime associated with exchanging between multiple specialized tools
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 the same tool to perform multiple tasks within a procedure, enhancing procedural efficiency and safety through adaptive functionality and real-time temperature monitoring to prevent overheating.
Implementation Method 1
medical instruments utilizing radiofrequency (RF) energy, laser energy and the like have been developed for delivering thermal energy to tissue
Implementation Method 2
The channel is configured to be coupled to a negative pressure source
Implementation Method 3
the electrosurgical device may further comprise a temperature sensor and/or impedance sensing electrodes near a distal end of the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical device comprises an elongated shaft having an axis with an interior channel extending along the axis to an opening in a distal end of the shaft. The channel is configured to be coupled to a negative pressure source, and an electrode with a conductive, usually hook-shaped, distal portion is coupled to the shaft and moveable between a first position in which a distal tip of the electrode is disposed proximate to a periphery of the opening of and a second position in which the distal electrode tip is exposed and spaced apart from the opening.