Spring-Loaded Cutting Tip for Nerve Dissection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cutting nerve and soft tissue during minimally invasive procedures face challenges such as difficulty in achieving precise dissection, high collateral thermal damage, and inadequate control over tissue necrosis, leading to inefficient and painful procedures with potential for adverse outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A cutting device with a spring-loaded cutting tip and a blunt distal end, capable of retractable extension for precise tissue cutting, combined with RF energy or pulsed plasma signals, and a vacuum system for tissue removal, designed to minimize collateral damage and enhance precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radio frequency energy is used for tissue cutting in a closed environment, then cutting efficiency is improved, but current density at the electrode decreases making cut initiation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is designed with a movable, extendable cutting tip that can dynamically adjust its position between retracted and extended states. This dynamic configuration allows the electrode to maintain optimal current density at the cutting interface while preserving overall system stability during the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cutting systems with radio frequency energy-based cutting. The RF electrode generates thermal energy through electrical current to cut tissue, substituting mechanical blade action with electromagnetic energy conversion and thermal tissue vaporization
2Reliability
If high power settings are used to initiate the cut, then cut initiation is achieved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode features a localized cutting tip with concentrated RF energy delivery at the precise cutting interface. The energy distribution is highly localized to the tip region where cutting occurs, while surrounding areas receive minimal thermal exposure, achieving effective cutting with reduced collateral damage
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure is segmented into a main body and a separate extendable cutting tip. This segmentation allows the cutting function to be isolated at the tip where high power is concentrated, while the main body remains at lower temperature, reducing overall thermal damage to surrounding tissue
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a blunt tip is used to protect adjacent tissue, then tissue protection is improved, but fine dissection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tip is designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable. When extended, it provides a sharp, precise cutting edge for fine dissection. When retracted, the blunt main body protects adjacent tissue. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between tissue protection and fine dissection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is segmented into a blunt protective main body and a separate sharp cutting tip. The blunt body provides tissue protection during insertion and positioning, while the extendable sharp tip enables precise cutting when needed, combining both functions in a single device
4Productivity
If radio frequency energy is used for tissue cutting, then cutting efficiency is improved, but smoke generation increases obscuring visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the generated smoke from the surgical field using a smoke evacuation system. The smoke is suctioned away through a dedicated channel or port, clearing the visual field while maintaining the efficient RF cutting process
Solution Approach 2:
A smoke evacuation system acts as an intermediary between the RF cutting source and the surgical field. This intermediary component captures and removes smoke particles, preventing them from obscuring the visual field while allowing RF cutting to continue efficiently
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
Enables efficient, controlled, and safe cutting of nerve and soft tissue with reduced thermal damage and improved precision, facilitating minimally invasive procedures while allowing for effective hemostasis and tissue removal.
Implementation Method 1
A cutting device with a spring-loaded cutting tip and a blunt distal end, capable of retractable extension for precise tissue cutting
Implementation Method 2
combined with RF energy or pulsed plasma signals
Implementation Method 3
Radio frequency energy is used in a wide range of surgical procedures because it provides efficient tissue resection and coagulation
Implementation Method 4
combined with RF energy or pulsed plasma signals
Implementation Method 5
and a vacuum system for tissue removal
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting device includes an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A lower portion extends from the distal end of the elongated shaft and includes an outer surface and an inner surface spaced apart from the outer surface which together form a blunt end configured as a stop so as to protect adjacent tissue. An upper portion extends from the distal end of the elongated shaft and including an inner surface. The upper portion is configured so as to be disposed opposite the lower portion. A cutting element is disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion and is configured for retractable extension beyond the distal end of the elongated shaft so as to contact tissue.