RF Tissue Vaporization Electrode With Insulative Gas Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical devices face challenges in efficiently vaporizing biological tissue in a conductive liquid medium, such as blood, due to issues like inefficient current distribution, potential thrombus formation, and tissue trauma, which can lead to embolization and health risks.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical system with a crossing member featuring a distal electrode that generates an electrically insulative gaseous layer within the conductive liquid medium to encapsulate the electrode, allowing for controlled RF energy delivery to vaporize tissue efficiently and minimize contact with the liquid, thereby reducing thrombus formation and tissue trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RF energy is delivered directly to tissue in conductive liquid medium, then tissue vaporization occurs, but current distribution becomes inefficient and thrombus formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrically insulative gaseous layer as an intermediary between the electrode and the conductive liquid medium. This gaseous layer mediates the delivery of RF energy to the tissue by preventing current shunting into the liquid, thereby improving current distribution efficiency while maintaining effective tissue vaporization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter of the medium surrounding the electrode by creating a gaseous layer with different electrical insulative properties compared to the conductive liquid. This parameter change ensures that RF current is directed into the tissue rather than dispersing into the liquid medium, resolving the current distribution efficiency problem.
2Power
If electrode contacts conductive liquid medium during tissue vaporization, then energy delivery occurs, but thrombus formation and tissue trauma increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically insulative gaseous layer serves as a protective intermediary that allows RF energy to be delivered to the tissue while preventing the electrode from directly contacting the conductive liquid medium. This eliminates the harmful effect of thrombus formation associated with direct electrode-liquid contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of RF energy interacting with conductive liquid (which causes thrombus formation) into a beneficial outcome by using the liquid's conductivity to generate the insulative gaseous layer through electrolysis or heating, which then protects against thrombus formation while allowing controlled energy delivery to tissue.
3Productivity
If electrode is exposed in conductive liquid medium, then tissue vaporization can occur, but collateral damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically insulative gaseous layer acts as a mediator that confines RF energy delivery to the immediate vicinity of the electrode tip where the gaseous layer contacts the tissue. This prevents RF energy from traveling through the conductive liquid to cause collateral damage to distant surrounding tissue, while still enabling effective vaporization at the target site.
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
The system effectively vaporizes tissue with minimal collateral damage and reduces the risk of thrombus formation by encapsulating the electrode with an insulative gaseous layer, enhancing procedural safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the electrode is configured to apply the RF energy to generate an electrically insulative gaseous layer within the conductive liquid medium to encapsulate the electrode
Implementation Method 2
Tissue that contacts the plasma experiences a rapid vaporization of cellular fluid to produce a puncturing effect
Implementation Method 3
Electrical energy can be applied to the electrodes either as a train of high frequency pulses or as a continuous signal typically in the radiofrequency (RF) range to perform the puncturing techniques
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical system to puncture biological target tissue is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator to generate a radiofrequency (RF) energy, and a crossing member having a distal end to be disposed within a conductive liquid medium proximate the biological target tissue. The distal end having an electrode adapted to deliver the RF energy. The electrode to apply the RF energy to generate an electrically insulative gaseous layer within the conductive liquid medium to encapsulate the electrode and to vaporize the biological target tissue from within the electrically insulative gaseous layer.