Composite RF-Microwave Electrosurgery for Cutting and Coagulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical devices struggle to effectively manage bleeding during surgical procedures, particularly in endoscopic settings, where blood loss can obscure the operator's vision and necessitate switching to open surgery.
Innovation Solution
The use of composite waveforms comprising simultaneous delivery of radiofrequency (RF) and microwave frequency electromagnetic (EM) signals, with a dominant signal supplemented by a supplementary frequency, enhances cutting and coagulation effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radiofrequency (RF) energy is used to cut biological tissue, then cutting performance is improved, but coagulation effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RF energy and microwave energy into a composite waveform that is simultaneously delivered to the tissue. The RF component (e.g., 300 kHz to 3 MHz) provides cutting capability through plasma formation, while the microwave component (e.g., 2.45 GHz) provides coagulation capability through deep tissue heating. This merging of two different energy types into a single delivery system resolves the contradiction by allowing both cutting and coagulation functions to operate concurrently.
2Reliability
If microwave energy is used to coagulate biological tissue, then coagulation effectiveness is improved, but cutting performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite waveform merges microwave energy (optimized for coagulation) with RF energy (optimized for cutting). The microwave portion delivers deep penetrating energy for effective coagulation of blood vessels, while the RF portion generates sufficient power at the tissue interface to maintain cutting capability. This simultaneous delivery resolves the contradiction by allowing both functions to operate at their respective optimal power levels.
3Productivity
If composite waveforms with simultaneous RF and microwave delivery are used, then coagulation effectiveness and cutting performance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RF and microwave generation, modulation, and delivery functions into a single integrated electrosurgical generator. Rather than requiring separate devices for RF electrosurgery and microwave ablation, the system combines both energy sources and their control systems into one unit that delivers a composite waveform through a single electrode. This merging approach improves both coagulation and cutting performance while minimizing the increase in device complexity by consolidating rather than multiplying components.
4Reliability
If higher power is delivered to tissue to improve coagulation of severe bleeding, then coagulation effectiveness is improved, but risk of unwanted tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different power levels and energy types to different spatial zones within the treatment field. The microwave component delivers deep penetrating energy at controlled power levels for coagulation of blood vessels at depth, while the RF component concentrates energy at the tissue-electrode interface for cutting. This spatial differentiation of energy delivery allows high power to be applied where needed for coagulation without causing unwanted damage to surrounding tissues, as each energy type is optimized for its specific depth and function.
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 increases the power delivered to biological tissue, improving the ability to coagulate severe bleeding and enhance cutting performance, reducing blood loss and maintaining clear visibility during endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
as an electric current passes through a tissue matrix (aided by the ionic contents of the cells and the intercellular electrolytes), the impedance to the flow of electrons across the tissue generates heat
Implementation Method 2
The applied voltage then appears almost entirely across this void which ionises as a result, forming a plasma
Implementation Method 3
The applied voltage then appears almost entirely across this void which ionises as a result, forming a plasma
Implementation Method 4
enough heat is generated within the cells to vaporise the water content of the tissue
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrosurgical apparatus for cutting and coagulating biological tissue. In particular, the present invention provides an electrosurgical generator arranged to generate radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and microwave frequency EM energy; wherein the electrosurgical generator is operable in each of a coagulation mode and a cutting mode, wherein in the coagulation mode the electrosurgical generator is arranged to deliver the RF EM energy and the microwave EM energy simultaneously in a coagulation composite waveform comprising a dominant microwave signal and a supplementary RF signal, and wherein in the cutting mode the electrosurgical generator is arranged to deliver the RF EM energy and the microwave EM energy simultaneously in a cutting composite waveform comprising a dominant RF signal and a supplementary microwave signal.