Tissue Coagulation Probe with Interferometric Distance Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for tissue coagulation and ablation lack effective process control, particularly in maintaining precise distance and determining tissue type during treatment, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a probe body equipped with an electrode that applies radio frequency voltage and a light conducting device connected to an interferometric distance measuring device, allowing for real-time distance measurement and tissue type determination through optical emission spectroscopy, ensuring safe and controlled tissue modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time distance measurement and tissue type determination are implemented, then surgical precision and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (distance measurement via interferometry and tissue type determination via optical emission spectroscopy) into a single integrated probe body, allowing both measurements to be performed simultaneously through a unified device structure rather than separate instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The probe body is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs electrical coagulation/ablation, optical distance measurement, and spectral tissue analysis, enabling one device to execute multiple diagnostic and therapeutic functions that would traditionally require separate instruments
2Manufacturing precision
If interferometric distance measuring device is used, then distance control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interferometric distance measurement system continuously monitors the distance between probe and tissue before electrical discharge occurs, providing real-time feedback that allows the system to maintain optimal positioning and prevent tissue damage through advance detection and control
Solution Approach 2:
The distance measuring device provides continuous real-time feedback on probe-tissue distance, which is used to dynamically adjust the positioning and operation of the electrode, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains precise distance control throughout the procedure
3Measurement precision
If optical emission spectroscopy is implemented for tissue type determination, then treatment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical emission spectroscopy as an intermediary analytical method, where the spectral characteristics of light emitted during electrical discharge serve as a mediator to indirectly identify tissue type based on characteristic spectral lines, rather than requiring direct physical or chemical analysis of the tissue
4Reliability
If real-time monitoring systems are added, then process control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated probe performs self-diagnosis and self-monitoring by continuously measuring distance and analyzing tissue spectral characteristics, allowing the device to autonomously assess treatment conditions and adjust parameters without requiring constant manual intervention or complex external monitoring systems
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 precise control of the distance between the probe and tissue, facilitating safer and more accurate tissue coagulation or ablation by preventing tissue proximity issues and allowing for layer-specific treatment monitoring, thereby improving surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an electric voltage can be applied, preferably a radio frequency modulated or non-modulated voltage UHF. An electric current is output from the electrode that flows through a plasma and over the biological tissue to be treated. The tissue is modified, particularly coagulated and/or removed.
Implementation Method 2
The measuring device is configured as optical distance measuring device, as temperature measuring device or as tissue type determination device. It can also assume two or three or all of these functions as well as additional functions, if desired. Preferably the measuring device is configured as interferometric distance measuring device that works with multicolor light
Implementation Method 3
Based on the light appearance due to the subsequent sparks, the tissue type can be determined with which the spark interacts. For evaluation a spectroscopic system is used to which the light emitted from the sparks is transmitted via an optical fiber. The analysis system determines the spectra of the light created by the sparks.
Data Source
AI summary
The inventive device (10) can be used for tissue coagulation and/or tissue ablation. It comprises at least one electrode (16) that serves for generating a spark or plasma jet and is connectable to an electric source (20) for this purpose. The probe (11) is assigned to a measuring device (24) that emits and/or receives light in the proximity of the electrode (16) and determines the distance of the probe (11) from the tissue (36) and/or the tissue temperature and/or the composition of the influenced tissue (36). Preferably the measuring device (24) is operated synchronized with pulses or pauses of the pulse-pause-modulated radio frequency voltage (UHF) of the electrode (16) in order to simultaneously carry out the desired measurements during the operation of the instrument (11) and to feedback control the operation of the instrument (11) based on the gained measurement results.