Expandable Basket Morcellator with RF Conducting Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for removing enlarged prostate tissue during BPH treatment, such as morcellation, can cause injury to bladder walls and are time-consuming due to the use of mechanical morcellators and suction devices.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with an elongate member and expandable basket that includes conducting elements for morcellation, allowing for the efficient cutting and removal of tissue without direct contact with the bladder walls, and a tissue retrieval system with illumination and imaging capabilities for precise visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical morcellation is used to fragment prostate tissue, then tissue removal is enabled, but the risk of injury to bladder walls increases due to contact with morcellator blades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of procedureVSAvoidinjury to bladder walls

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical morcellation system with an electrohydrodynamic system. High-voltage electrodes generate electric fields that interact with conductive fluid (saline) to create electrohydrodynamic forces, which fragment tissue without mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical interaction between morcellator blades and bladder walls while achieving the same tissue fragmentation goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces conductive fluid (saline) as an intermediary medium between the electrodes and the tissue. The electrohydrodynamic forces are generated through the interaction of electric fields with the conductive fluid, which then acts upon the tissue. This intermediary approach allows for non-contact tissue manipulation and fragmentation, reducing the risk of direct injury to surrounding structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If mechanical morcellation with suction is used for tissue removal, then complete tissue extraction is achieved, but procedural time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural efficiencyVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the morcellation function and suction function into a single integrated device. The electrohydrodynamic probe combines high-voltage electrodes for tissue fragmentation with suction channels for immediate removal of fragments. This integration allows simultaneous fragmentation and removal of tissue, eliminating the sequential steps required in traditional mechanical morcellation and significantly reducing procedural time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous tissue fragmentation and removal through the electrohydrodynamic system. The high-voltage electrodes continuously generate electrohydrodynamic forces to fragment tissue as it contacts the probe, while suction continuously removes fragments. This continuous action eliminates interruptions and delays associated with mechanical morcellation, improving overall procedural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Minimizes the risk of injury to surrounding tissues and reduces procedural time by enabling efficient morcellation and removal of tissue fragments through RF energy and suction, facilitating safer and more effective prostatectomy procedures.

Implementation Method 1

energizing the plurality of conducting elements cut the unwanted material into multiple pieces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF energy: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

entrapping the unwanted material within the basket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

The process may be conducted with saline circulation through the bladder to prevent the bladder walls from collapsing into the morcellator blades

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS9855066B2Retrieval device and related methods of use

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device for extracting and/or morcellating tissue or other unwanted material from within a patient's body. In one embodiment, a medical device may include an elongate member including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical device may also include an expandable member disposed at the distal end, wherein an interior of the expandable member is in fluid communication with the lumen in the elongate member, wherein the expandable member includes a plurality of conducting elements extending from and disposed circumferentially about the elongate member, wherein at least two of the plurality of conducting elements are joined together by a material extending therebetween.