Retrieval Bag Electrode Expansion for Contained Tissue Removal
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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, often leading to increased patient pain and longer recovery times, and may spread cancerous cells due to uncontrolled fragmentation.
Innovation Solution
A tissue removal system with a retrieval bag and RF energy-charged wires that segment and extract large tissue specimens through a minimally invasive approach, using a flexible container with electrodes that expand during electrosurgical power application to enhance cutting and a controlled fragmentation process.
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 multiple sequential steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tissue specimen from the body cavity using a retrieval bag that can be pulled through a small incision. The bag is introduced into the body cavity, the tissue is placed inside, and then the entire bag containing the tissue is exteriorized through a minimally invasive port, eliminating the need for time-consuming morcellation or manual reduction steps
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval bag is pre-positioned and prepared before tissue removal. The bag is introduced into the body cavity in advance, and the tissue is placed into the pre-positioned bag, allowing for efficient one-step extraction without requiring sequential processing steps during the procedure
2Productivity
If a larger incision is created for the access port 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 solves the size constraint by changing the dimensional approach - instead of making the access port larger (one-dimensional solution), the retrieval bag is collapsed into a compact form that can pass through a small port, then expanded outside the body to accommodate and remove the large tissue specimen, effectively using temporal dimension (collapse before insertion, expand after removal) to resolve the contradiction
3Ease of operation
If uncontrolled fragmentation occurs during tissue removal, then large tissue specimens can be broken down for easier removal, but this may spread cancerous cells
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval bag acts as an intermediary containment barrier between the tissue specimen and the body cavity. The tissue can be manipulated, fragmented, or processed inside the sealed bag without risk of contaminating the surrounding tissue. The bag prevents cancerous cells from seeding into healthy tissue while still allowing the surgeon to perform necessary tissue manipulation for complete removal
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
Reduces the time and cost associated with tissue removal, minimizes the risk of seeding cancerous cells, and allows for more controlled cutting, enabling faster recovery and subsequent pathological analysis of tissue segments.
Implementation Method 1
The first electrode 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 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.