Rotatable Electrosurgical Tip Control Through a Coaxial Feed Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical instruments face challenges in controlling the rotational orientation of the instrument tip relative to the coaxial feed cable, leading to restricted rotation due to friction and torque buildup, especially when the flexible shaft is fixed at the proximal end, making precise orientation difficult during procedures.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical instrument with a rotatable connection between the coaxial feed cable and the instrument tip allows independent rotation of the tip while maintaining electrical connections, using an actuator to control the tip's orientation relative to the coaxial feed cable, and incorporating a biasing component to facilitate precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the flexible shaft is fixed at the proximal end to maintain structural stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the rotational control of the instrument tip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into distinct rotatable sections: the instrument tip can rotate independently relative to the flexible shaft, and the flexible shaft can rotate independently relative to the coaxial feed cable. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and rotational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic rotational capabilities at multiple interfaces within the instrument structure. The instrument tip is made rotatable relative to the flexible shaft through a rotatable connection, allowing the tip orientation to be dynamically adjusted while the shaft remains structurally stable and fixed at the proximal end.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotation of the instrument tip is achieved by rotating the entire electrosurgical instrument, then the rotational orientation can be changed, but the control precision deteriorates due to friction and torque buildup
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the entire instrument, the patent segments the rotation function to only the instrument tip through a rotatable connection. This localized rotation eliminates the accumulation of friction and torque along the entire shaft length, maintaining control precision while achieving the desired rotational orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotatable connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between the flexible shaft and the instrument tip. This intermediary allows precise rotational control of the tip without requiring rotation of the entire instrument, thereby reducing friction and torque issues.
3Reliability
If the coaxial feed cable connection is fixed to prevent energy loss, then the electrical connection stability is improved, but the rotational flexibility of the instrument tip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into a fixed coaxial feed cable connection and a separately rotatable instrument tip connection. This allows the coaxial feed cable to maintain stable electrical connections while the instrument tip rotates independently through its own rotatable connection, preserving both electrical reliability and rotational flexibility.
4Length of moving object
If the flexible shaft length is increased to reach deeper tissue, then the treatment depth is improved, but the rotational control difficulty increases due to increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation function is segmented and localized to the instrument tip rather than being distributed along the entire flexible shaft. This means that even as the shaft length increases to reach deeper tissue, the rotational control is maintained at the tip level where friction and torque accumulation are minimized, preserving ease of operation despite increased length.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical instrument for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, comprising: a distal part comprising an instrument tip for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, the instrument tip comprising first and second conductive elements; a coaxial feed cable comprising an inner conductor, a tubular outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor, and dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, the coaxial feed cable being for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to the distal part; wherein: the inner conductor is electrically connected to the first conductive element and the outer conductor is electrically connected to the second conductive element through a rotatable connection between the distal part and the coaxial feed cable that allows rotation of the distal part relative to the coaxial feed cable; and the instrument comprises an actuator for rotating the distal part in a first rotational direction relative to the feed cable.