Surgical Generator Adaptive Power Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrosurgical and ultrasonic devices connected to external generators lack the capability to incorporate high-power components such as motors or microprocessors due to the absence of an on-board power supply, limiting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A surgical generator that delivers a drive signal based on tissue measurements, adjusting the power curve in real-time by incrementing or decrementing power levels based on changes in tissue impedance or other properties to optimize tissue treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electrosurgical and ultrasonic devices are connected to external generators, then the devices can transmit energy to tissue for treatment, but the devices cannot incorporate high-power components such as motors or microprocessors due to lack of on-board power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional segments: an external generator that provides high-power energy and a handheld surgical device that delivers the energy to tissue. This segmentation allows the high-power components to be located in the external generator rather than in the handheld device, resolving the contradiction between functionality and device complexity.
2Productivity
If the generator delivers constant power to tissue, then the treatment process is simple, but the treatment efficacy cannot be optimized in response to changing tissue conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The generator incorporates a feedback mechanism that monitors tissue impedance changes during the surgical procedure. Based on this feedback, the generator automatically adjusts the power delivery in real-time to optimize treatment efficacy. This feedback-based control resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptive power adjustment without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The power delivery system transitions from a static, constant power mode to a dynamic, adaptive power mode that changes in response to tissue conditions. The generator dynamically adjusts power parameters such as amplitude and pulse duration based on real-time tissue impedance measurements, enabling optimized treatment while maintaining system manageability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the generator adjusts power levels frequently in response to tissue measurements, then treatment precision is improved, but the complexity of power management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system operates autonomously by automatically monitoring tissue impedance and adjusting power parameters without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by implementing closed-loop control where the generator's control circuitry automatically interprets tissue feedback and modifies power delivery accordingly, reducing the operational complexity despite enhanced precision.
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 the integration of high-power components and enhanced functionality in surgical devices by dynamically adjusting power delivery in response to tissue conditions, improving treatment efficacy and precision.
Implementation Method 1
RF energy is a form of electrical energy that may be in the frequency range of 300 kHz to 1 MHz. During its operation, an electrosurgical device can transmit low frequency RF energy through tissue, which causes ionic agitation, or friction, in effect resistive heating, thereby increasing the temperature of the tissue.
Implementation Method 2
An ultrasonic surgical device may comprise a hand piece containing an ultrasonic transducer, and an instrument coupled to the ultrasonic transducer having a distally-mounted end effector (e.g., a blade tip) to cut and seal tissue.
Implementation Method 3
Ultrasonic energy cuts and coagulates tissue using frictional heating and can be transmitted to the end effector by an ultrasonic generator in communication with the hand piece. Vibrating at high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade denatures protein in the tissue to form a sticky coagulum.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for providing a drive signal to a surgical device for treating tissue. A surgical generator may deliver the drive signal according to a first composite load curve. The surgical generator may receive a first tissue measurement indicating a property of the tissue at a first time during the delivery of the drive signal, receive a second tissue measurement indicating the property of the tissue at a second time during the delivery of the drive signal after the first time, and based on the first and second tissue measurements, determine a difference in the property of the tissue between the first time and the second time. When the difference in the property of the tissue exceeds a difference threshold, the generator may deliver the drive signal according to a second composite load curve that is more aggressive than the first composite load curve.