Segmented Bipolar RF Electrode for Hemostasis in Tissue Resection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving efficient hemostasis during tissue removal procedures, particularly in minimally invasive surgeries, is challenging due to the difficulty in sealing blood vessels in highly vascularized organs like the liver, which can lead to excessive bleeding and increased procedural time.
Innovation Solution
The use of bipolar radio frequency energy applied through electrode structures, either rigid or flexible, with tissue-penetrating elements to necrose tissue along a desired resection plane, minimizing bleeding by effectively cauterizing the tissue before resection, thereby facilitating morcellation and reducing surgical time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cauterization methods are used to seal blood vessels in highly vascularized organs, then hemostasis can be achieved, but the procedural time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones along its length. Each segment can be activated separately to cauterize different portions of blood vessels or tissue simultaneously, reducing the total time required to achieve hemostasis across the entire surgical site while maintaining reliable sealing of individual vessels.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive surgical procedures are performed through limited access passages, then patient trauma is reduced, but vessel sealing becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode incorporates tissue-penetrating elements that extend perpendicular to the electrode body, allowing the device to engage and seal blood vessels in three dimensions rather than requiring precise planar alignment. This enables effective vessel sealing through limited access passages while maintaining minimal patient trauma, as the penetrating elements can reach vessels at various depths and angles without requiring large incisions or complex maneuvering.
3Ease of operation
If tissue is morcellated prior to removal in laparoscopic procedures, then tissue removal is enabled through small passages, but excessive bleeding occurs from vascularized tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode applies cauterization energy to tissue before morcellation occurs, pre-sealing blood vessels and creating a coagulated tissue layer. This preliminary hemostatic action prevents excessive bleeding during subsequent morcellation procedures, enabling safe tissue fragmentation and removal through small passages while maintaining patient safety by controlling hemorrhage throughout the process.
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 method significantly reduces bleeding and simplifies hemostasis by ensuring complete or substantial coagulation of the tissue volume, making tissue removal more efficient and minimizing trauma to the patient during various surgical procedures such as hysterectomies and liver resections.
Implementation Method 1
The use of bipolar radio frequency energy applied through electrode structures, either rigid or flexible, with tissue-penetrating elements to necrose tissue along a desired resection plane
Implementation Method 2
bipolar radio frequency energy applied through electrode structures... to necrose tissue... by effectively cauterizing the tissue
Implementation Method 3
electrode structures, either rigid or flexible, with tissue-penetrating elements to necrose tissue
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is concerned with cauterizing and resecting tissue. A pair of electrodes are placed on opposed tissue surfaces, and radio frequency power is applied through the electrodes to cauterizing a tissue mass therebetween. After cauterization has been effected, the tissue may be resected along a plane within the cauterized region with minimum or no bleeding. The tissue mass may then be removed.