Tissue Analysis Device Contamination Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue analysis methods using electrical sparks or plasma for biological tissue face uncertainty due to contamination of light entry windows, which impairs the reliability of tissue property determination, especially in high-heat plasma applications.

Innovation Solution

A tissue analysis device with a light recording device, spectrometer, and evaluation system that assigns reliability values based on contamination levels by analyzing the spectral composition of light from a spark or plasma, using transmission curve models to differentiate tissue types and contamination severity, and optionally employing a test device with a known spectral composition or operating field lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a light recording device is arranged near an electrode to detect tissue light, then tissue detection capability is improved, but the light recording device becomes contaminated by soot and debris

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue detection capabilityVSAvoidlight recording device reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A liquid body (saline solution or other fluid) is introduced as an intermediary between the contaminated light recording device and the tissue analysis system. The liquid flows over the light entry window, carrying away soot and debris particles while allowing light transmission for tissue detection to continue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful contamination (soot, fabric particles, dust, salt crystals) is extracted from the light path by using a flowing liquid body that captures and removes these particles from the light recording device surface, separating the contamination removal function from the tissue detection function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a liquid body is used to clean the light entry window, then contamination is reduced, but the system becomes unsuitable for high-heat plasma applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight entry window cleanlinessVSAvoidheat resistance capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The state of the cleaning medium is changed from liquid to gas (inert gas flow). This parameter change allows the cleaning system to withstand high temperatures and direct plasma contact while maintaining the contaminant removal function through gas flow that carries particles away from the light entry window

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If spectral analysis is performed to determine tissue properties, then tissue characterization is improved, but uncertainty increases due to contamination affecting light transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue property determinationVSAvoidanalysis reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where the system continuously monitors the quality of light transmission through the liquid body and contamination level on the light recording device. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the flow rate of the liquid body or triggers alerts when contamination affects spectral analysis reliability, ensuring accurate tissue property determination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances the reliability of tissue recognition by accurately determining tissue properties and contamination levels, ensuring trustworthy analysis even under contaminated conditions, with the ability to display only reliable results and signal low reliability visually or acoustically to prevent incorrect treatment.

Implementation Method 1

the spectral composition of light that is created by the action of a spark on biological tissue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from electrical spark/plasma: Electric Spark

Implementation Method 2

a light receiving device in the form of an optical fiber which is arranged in the vicinity of an ablation electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical fiber light transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

The light received by the optical fiber is fed to an analysis device, for example a spectrometer, and subjected to a spectral analysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectral analysis: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 4

a cleaning device, for example in the form of a fluid channel, is provided. This serves to supply fluid to the distal end of the instrument and thus to prevent contamination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow cleaning: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3964822B1Device and method for tissue analysis
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
  • EP3964822B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3964822B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3964822B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A tissue analysis device (10) according to the invention, comprising a light-receiving device (16) and a spectrometer device (20) for determining tissue properties, has an evaluation device (22) connected to an assignment device (23). The evaluation device (22) serves to determine at least one tissue property of a biological tissue, for example, its type or the presence of disease. The assignment device serves to assign a suitable transmission curve model (25) that models the contamination of the light-receiving device (16). Different transmission curve models are available for different degrees of contamination, each containing reliability values ​​for each determinable tissue property. The concept according to the invention not only enables tissue analysis but also allows for the indication of the reliability with which the analysis was performed, i.e.,, how reliable the information on the tissue properties is.