Surgical Instrument with Rotating Cutting Tool and Bipolar Coagulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments require reorientation to switch between mechanical cutting and electrosurgical coagulation, which can be inefficient and disrupt the surgical process, especially when dealing with bleeding tissues.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a blade assembly featuring a cutting tool accessible through a cutting window, an inner and outer tube with an insulating layer, and apertures for additional electrosurgical action, allowing simultaneous mechanical cutting and coagulation at the cutting window, as well as remote coagulation without stopping the cutting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mechanical cutting device and electrosurgical device are used, then each device can perform its function well, but the surgical process requires reorientation and multiple devices which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a mechanical cutting device (rotating cutting tool with cutting window) and an electrosurgical device (bipolar electrodes formed by inner and outer tubes) into a single integrated instrument. The cutting tool rotates within the electrosurgical instrument, allowing both mechanical cutting and electrosurgical coagulation to be performed simultaneously at the same tissue site without reorientation, thereby improving surgical efficiency while maintaining reliable cutting and coagulation functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrosurgical electrode is provided on the back of the cutting device, then coagulation can be performed, but the cutting and coagulation actions are separated in space requiring reorientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates bipolar electrodes through the inner and outer tubes that extend to the distal end of the instrument, with the electrosurgical action occurring at the same location as the cutting window. This local concentration of both cutting and coagulation functions at the distal end allows simultaneous action on the same tissue without spatial separation or reorientation, improving operational continuity while maintaining versatile coagulation capability.
3Reliability
If mechanical cutting and electrosurgical coagulation are performed separately, then each function can be optimized, but procedural interruptions occur reducing overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous operation of the rotating cutting tool and the bipolar electrosurgical electrodes. The inner and outer tubes provide continuous electrical contact for coagulation while the cutting tool continuously rotates for cutting, allowing both actions to proceed without interruption or sequential switching. This eliminates procedural interruptions and time loss associated with switching between separate devices or functions.
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 and continuous tissue cutting and coagulation at the same location, reducing procedural interruptions and improving surgical efficiency by integrating mechanical cutting and electrosurgical coagulation in a single instrument.
Implementation Method 1
the intermediate and outer tubes form the electrodes of a bipolar electrosurgical instrument capable of coagulating tissue in the region of the cutting window
Implementation Method 2
the rotation of the cutting tool is capable of causing the cutting of tissue in the region of the cutting window
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprises a hollow tube (18) having a cutting window (16) at the distal end portion. An inner tube (15) is disposed within the tube (18) and is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A cutting tool (17) is located at the distal end of the tube (15), and is positioned adjacent to the cutting window (16). An outer tube (14) is provided over the tube (18). A motor (5) is provided for rotating the inner tube (15), and saline is fed to the cutting window (16) via a passageway (25) between the tubes (15) and (18). The inner tube (15) has a central lumen (24) through which tissue cut by the cutting tool (17) is removed under the action of a source of suction (12). The outer surface of the tube 18 is covered with an electrically insulating layer (22) and coagulating RF signals are supplied between the tube (18) and the outer tube (14) so as to coagulate tissue at the cutting window (16). Additional apertures (40, 42; 43, 45) in the outer tube (14) and the insulating layer (22) are aligned such that a portion of the hollow tube (18) is exposed other than in the area of the cutting window (16).