Retrieval Bag Electrode Coating for Controlled Tissue Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing large tissue specimens during minimally invasive procedures, such as hysterectomy, nephrectomy, and splenectomy, are time-consuming and require multiple steps, or result in larger incisions leading to increased patient pain and recovery time.
Innovation Solution
A tissue removal system with a retrieval bag and electrodes that utilize RF energy to segment and extract large tissue specimens through a minimally invasive approach, using a coating that degrades to expand the active electrode surface area during power application, allowing controlled cutting and extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If morcellators or manual reduction methods are used to remove large tissue specimens, then the tissue can be removed through minimally invasive procedures, but the procedure requires considerable time and many sequential steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical morcellation systems with an electrosurgical system that uses RF energy to cut and reduce tissue. The electrosurgical wire delivers energy to vaporize and fragment tissue within the retrieval bag, eliminating the need for mechanical morcellators and their associated sequential操作步骤, thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining minimally invasive access
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of tissue through controlled RF energy application. By adjusting power levels, pulse duration, and wire temperature, the system transitions tissue from solid to vaporized/fragmented state, enabling rapid reduction of large specimens without mechanical intervention and significantly shortening procedure time
2Loss of time
If a larger incision is made to remove the tissue specimen in whole, then the tissue can be removed more quickly, but this leads to more patient pain and longer recovery times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments large tissue specimens into smaller pieces using electrosurgical energy within a retrieval bag. The RF wire cuts through tissue to create manageable fragments that can be removed through small incisions, eliminating the need for large incisions while maintaining efficient tissue removal and reducing patient trauma
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a retrieval bag as an intermediary container that holds and manipulates tissue during the electrosurgical reduction process. The bag allows for controlled tissue fragmentation and facilitates removal of segmented tissue through minimal incisions, protecting surrounding tissues and reducing surgical trauma
3Reliability
If the active electrode surface area is small, then the impedance is high allowing for controlled energy delivery, but the cutting efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible electrosurgical wire that can dynamically adapt its configuration within the retrieval bag. The wire can be positioned to contact multiple tissue surfaces simultaneously, effectively increasing the active cutting surface area while maintaining controlled impedance through its inherent flexibility and ability to conform to tissue geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional fixed electrode geometry to a three-dimensional flexible wire configuration. The wire can be arranged in complex spatial patterns within the retrieval bag, creating multiple contact points with tissue in different dimensions, thereby increasing effective cutting surface area without compromising impedance control
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 system reduces procedure time, minimizes the risk of seeding cancerous cells, and allows for controlled tissue cutting, enabling smaller incisions and faster recovery, with the potential for pathologists to reassemble tissue segments.
Implementation Method 1
The coating is configured to degrade during application of electrosurgical power and wherein the degradation expands the first active electrode surface area during the application of the electrosurgical power
Data Source
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AI summary
A tissue removal system for extracting a tissue specimen from a patient is disclosed. The system has a retrieval bag, a first electrode, and a return electrode. The retrieval bag has a flexible container with an opening. The first electrode is coupled to an interior of the flexible container, and has a conductive wire with an exposure area, a first load-bearing area, a coating having a first active electrode surface area, and an impedance that is greater than an impedance of the conductive wire. The first active electrode surface area is less than the exposure area. The coating is configured to degrade during application of electrosurgical power and wherein the degradation expands the first active electrode surface area during the application of the electrosurgical power.