Electrosurgical RF Puncture Detection via Impedance and Phase Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical generators lack the ability to accurately determine tissue crossing during procedures like transseptal punctures, leading to inefficiencies and potential risks such as excess energy delivery and unintended tissue trauma.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical generator that measures electrical impedance and phase angle changes during RF energy application to an active terminal, automatically terminating the energy signal when specific impedance or phase angle thresholds are met, indicating tissue crossing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrosurgical generators deliver RF energy for tissue puncture without real-time tissue crossing detection, then the puncture function is achieved, but excess energy delivery and unintended tissue trauma occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors electrical impedance and phase angle during RF energy delivery and uses this feedback to detect tissue crossing in real-time. When the electrode transitions from tissue to blood (indicated by impedance increase and phase angle change), the system automatically responds by terminating or modulating the RF energy delivery, preventing excess energy deposition and unintended tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical sensation methods with electrical measurement-based detection. By monitoring electrical impedance and phase angle changes, the system objectively detects tissue crossing events without relying on operator skill or subjective assessment, enabling more reliable and consistent safety control.
2Productivity
If electrosurgical generators apply continuous RF energy signal for puncture, then the puncture effect is achieved, but procedural efficiency is reduced due to inability to detect tissue crossing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time monitoring of electrical impedance and phase angle to provide feedback on electrode-tissue interaction. This enables automatic detection of tissue crossing events, allowing the procedure to proceed efficiently without manual interruption while maintaining safety through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment by automatically detecting tissue crossing through electrical parameter changes and autonomously controlling the RF energy delivery. This eliminates the need for constant operator intervention and manual assessment, streamlining the procedural workflow.
3Measurement precision
If electrosurgical generators use manual monitoring methods for tissue crossing, then device complexity is kept low, but measurement precision and detection reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical monitoring with electrical measurement systems that continuously track impedance and phase angle. This substitution enables precise, objective, and automated detection of tissue crossing events, significantly improving measurement precision despite the increased electronic system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical impedance and phase angle monitoring system serves multiple functions: it detects tissue crossing, assesses electrode-tissue contact quality, and provides feedback for safety control. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive process control from a single integrated system.
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 reduces the risk of excess energy delivery and unintended tissue trauma by precisely detecting tissue crossing, enhancing procedural efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
measure an electrical impedance between the plurality of device terminals
Implementation Method 2
measure a phase angle of the RF energy signal
Implementation Method 3
Tissue that contacts the plasma experiences a rapid vaporization of cellular fluid to produce a puncture effect
Implementation Method 4
puncture tissue with plasma formed on the energized electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The electrosurgical generator includes device terminals including an active terminal and a return terminal and a controller. The controller generates a radiofrequency (RF) energy signal for delivery to the active terminal, measures an electrical impedance between device terminals and a phase angle of the RF energy signal while the RF energy signal is applied to the active terminal, determines at least one of a sustained change in electrical impedance, a change in electrical impedance via an impedance slope, and a change in phase angle change, and generates an indication of tissue crossing based on the determined change of the electrical impedance or the phase angle.