Segmented Electrode Geometry for Hand-Held Electrosurgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrosurgical hand-held instruments face challenges in optimizing the effective cross-section of electrodes for minimally invasive procedures, as existing designs often result in inefficient space utilization and complex, costly manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

The electrode is designed with a mirror-symmetrical structure comprising parallel and straight sections, allowing for easy manufacturing and quality control, with specific dimensions and angles that enable versatile shapes and sizes without requiring complex tools, facilitating cost-effective production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If highly complicated electrode geometries are used to better utilize the available space, then the effective cross-section of the electrode is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective cross-section of the electrodeVSAvoidelectrode geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode wire is divided into multiple straight sections (first sections and second sections) connected at defined angles, creating a segmented structure that achieves complex spatial configuration through simple modular components rather than a single complicated continuous shape

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode transitions from a two-dimensional planar shape to a three-dimensional spatial structure by arranging straight sections at specific angles (30°-150°) in multiple dimensions, maximizing space utilization within the shaft's cross-section without requiring complex curved geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If highly complicated electrode geometries are used to better utilize the available space, then the effective cross-section of the electrode is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective cross-section of the electrodeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is constructed from simple straight wire sections rather than complex continuously curved shapes, enabling standardized manufacturing processes and reducing tooling requirements while achieving the same space utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode geometry is defined by changing discrete parameters (section lengths, connection angles of 30°-150°) rather than complex continuous curves, allowing for easy adjustment and standardization that reduces manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of moving object

If highly complicated electrode geometries are used to better utilize the available space, then the effective cross-section of the electrode is improved, but the quality control effort increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective cross-section of the electrodeVSAvoidquality control effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode's segmented structure with defined straight sections and connection angles enables simplified quality inspection, where each section can be measured independently against standard tolerances rather than requiring complex measurement of continuous curved geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By defining the electrode geometry through discrete parameters (section lengths, angles between 30°-150°) rather than complex curves, quality control is reduced to verifying these specific parameters within tolerances, significantly simplifying inspection procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4368132A1Electrode for a hand-held electrosurgical instrument and method of manufacturing an electrode
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
  • EP4368132A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368132A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4368132A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode as well as an electrode which can be used particularly efficiently and can be manufactured in a particularly cost-effective manner. This is achieved in that an electrode (16) for an electrosurgical hand instrument comprises an electrically conductive wire (26) consisting of a plurality of sections. In this case, two sections of the wire R1 and L1, which are directly adjacent to two ends of the wire (26), are aligned parallel to each other as well as straight. Furthermore, the first two sections R1 and L1 are adjoined by two second sections R2 and L2, which are also aligned parallel to each other as well as straight. Thereby, section R2 directly adjoins section R1 and section L2 directly adjoins section L1. The two sections R2 and L2 are in turn connected to each other by a further section C.