Surgical Electrode Assembly with Low-Friction Bending Tubes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical electrode assemblies are unsuitable for minimally invasive procedures due to large size, misalignment issues, high friction, and wear of electrode sleeves, which affect efficiency and safety in surgeries like minimally invasive microsurgery and neurosurgery.
Innovation Solution
A surgical electrode assembly with movable electrodes, a manipulating device, and a damping mechanism that allows for precise control and reduced friction, along with a wear-resistant protective element for electrode sleeves, enhancing ergonomic operation and reducing interference with other instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the inner tube and outer tube are bent to avoid interference with other instruments, then the adaptability is improved, but the friction between the tubes increases significantly causing seizure and reducing operating sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
A lubricating layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the inner tube and outer tube. This lubricating layer reduces friction and prevents seizure when the tubes are bent, allowing the electrode assembly to maintain both bendability and operating sensitivity. The lubricating layer acts as a mediator that enables relative movement between the tubes without direct contact and high friction.
2Reliability
If the handle spring leaf is designed with large width to ensure elasticity, then the reliability is improved, but the operator's middle finger is caught causing safety issues and hindering convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The spring leaf is segmented into multiple sections with different widths. The section that contacts the operator's finger is narrowed to prevent finger catching, while other sections maintain sufficient width to provide the required elasticity and spring force. This segmentation allows the spring leaf to simultaneously achieve reliability through adequate elasticity and safety by preventing finger injury.
3Ease of operation
If the outer tube moves relative to the inner tube to enable electrode movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but significant friction occurs causing seizure and limiting bendability
Solution Approach 1:
A lubricating layer is applied between the outer tube and inner tube to reduce friction during relative movement. This lubricating layer prevents seizure and enables smooth movement of the electrodes while maintaining the mechanical coupling between the tubes. The lubrication allows the system to achieve ease of operation without the harmful effects of high friction and seizure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the surgical channel is minimized for less secondary injury, then the harm to patient is reduced, but the existing electrode assembly cannot be used due to large size
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is segmented into nested components including an inner tube and an outer tube that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the assembly to be compact when not in use and to extend only when needed for operation. The segmented structure enables the electrode assembly to pass through small surgical channels while maintaining the functionality of having separate electrode tips that can be positioned independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is nested within the outer tube, creating a compact configuration that minimizes the overall size of the electrode assembly. This nested structure allows the assembly to fit through small surgical channels and reduces the profile when not in use, while still providing the capability for the electrode tips to be extended and positioned for hemostasis when needed.
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 assembly improves operating sensitivity, safety, and comfort by minimizing friction and wear, allowing for precise and efficient hemostasis in minimally invasive surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a damping device... When there is no external force applied, damping effect of the damping device renders the slider device in the rest position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a surgical electrode assembly comprising: an electrode device comprising electrodes; a manipulating device; an electrode driving device configured to drive the electrodes, the manipulating device comprising an actuation mechanism; an inner tube having an inner tube proximal portion at a proximal end thereof, an inner tube distal portion at a distal end thereof, and an inner tube bending portion therebetween, the inner tube bending portion having a curvature, such that the inner tube distal portion and the inner tube proximal portion are disposed at an angle to each other; an outer tube having an outer tube proximal portion at a proximal end thereof and an outer tube distal portion at a distal end thereof, and an outer tube connecting portion therebetween, wherein the outer tube connecting portion is adapted to the inner tube bending portion, such that when manipulating the manipulating device to cause the inner tube and the outer tube to move relative to each other, the outer tube connecting portion allows the inner tube bending portion of the inner tube and the outer tube to move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction without interfering of the inner tube bending portion of the inner tube with the outer tube proximal portion and the outer tube distal portion of the outer tube. The technical effect lies in that bending tubes are provided which can greatly improve the convenience of the surgical electrode assembly entering a human body channel, and the electrode assembly may not interfere with the instrument used in conjunction therewith.