RF Output Stage Relay Switching for Simultaneous Mono-Bipolar Surgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrosurgical units cannot simultaneously operate a monopolar and a bipolar hand piece, limiting surgical procedures to single modalities and increasing surgical time.

Innovation Solution

An electrosurgical unit with a radiofrequency generator and relay circuitry that allows simultaneous operation of multiple hand pieces, including a receptacle for bipolar energy delivery and another for both monopolar and bipolar energy delivery, enabling the use of both monopolar and bipolar modes simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current electrosurgical units are used with single output stage, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously operate multiple hand pieces in different modes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to simultaneously operate monopolar and bipolar hand piecesVSAvoidrelay circuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The output stage is segmented into separate relay circuits for monopolar and bipolar hand pieces, allowing independent control and simultaneous operation of different hand piece types without requiring a single complex unified output stage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The relay circuit configuration provides multi-functionality by enabling the electrosurgical unit to simultaneously support both monopolar and bipolar hand pieces through different receptacles, making the system adaptable to multiple surgical modalities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If only one electrosurgical hand piece is used at a time, then device complexity is reduced, but surgical time increases due to sequential procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical timeVSAvoidrelay circuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay circuit enables continuous useful action by allowing both monopolar and bipolar hand pieces to operate simultaneously during the same surgical procedure, eliminating the need to switch between hand pieces and reducing procedural interruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If two electrosurgical hand pieces are used in monopolar mode only, then simultaneous operation is enabled, but the ability to use bipolar mode is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous monopolar and bipolar operationVSAvoidrelay circuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different receptacles are configured with different electrical characteristics - one optimized for bipolar hand pieces and another for monopolar hand pieces - allowing each receptacle to provide specialized functionality while the relay circuit coordinates their simultaneous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10405915B2RF output stage switching mechanism

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 MEDTRONIC ADVANCED ENERGY LLC

AI summary

An electrosurgical unit including a radio frequency generator configured to generate electrosurgical energy. The radio frequency generator includes a first receptacle configured to electrically couple with an electrosurgical hand piece configured to deliver bipolar radiofrequency energy. A second receptacle is included and configured to electrically couple with an electrosurgical hand piece configured to deliver monopolar radiofrequency energy. The radiofrequency generator includes a relay circuit configured to allow simultaneous radiofrequency energy delivery to the electrosurgical hand pieces in the first receptacle and the second receptacle.