Tissue Fusion Device with Resistance-Controlled Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for tissue fusion or coagulation face challenges in maintaining consistent tissue impedance control, leading to potential irreversible tissue changes due to excessive energy input, particularly during phase II of the impedance change process.

Innovation Solution

A device that regulates the voltage of the electrical source based on the measured tissue resistance during phase II, using a characteristic curve to control the energy input and prevent premature tissue dehydration, ensuring a consistent process time and quality of tissue fusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high energy input is applied to achieve rapid tissue fusion, then productivity is improved, but tissue impedance control deteriorates leading to irreversible tissue changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue fusion speedVSAvoidtissue impedance control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors tissue impedance during the fusion process and dynamically adjusts the energy input accordingly. The control unit receives impedance signals from the tissue and modifies the power delivery to maintain optimal impedance values, preventing both excessive energy input and process delays. This closed-loop control ensures reliable tissue fusion while avoiding irreversible tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If voltage is increased to maintain constant power during phase II, then energy input is improved, but tissue dehydration accelerates causing premature end of phase II

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy input consistencyVSAvoidphase II duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic voltage adjustment during phase II based on real-time impedance measurements. Instead of maintaining constant voltage or power, the system continuously adapts the voltage level according to the tissue's changing impedance characteristics. This dynamic control prevents premature tissue dehydration while ensuring adequate energy input for complete fusion, extending phase II duration to the optimal range without compromising energy delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If process time is extended to ensure complete fusion, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to excessive treatment time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefusion qualityVSAvoidtreatment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control system monitors tissue impedance throughout the fusion process and automatically determines when optimal fusion has been achieved. By continuously comparing measured impedance values against target impedance profiles, the system can precisely terminate the process at the optimal moment, ensuring complete fusion without unnecessary extension of treatment time. This eliminates both under-treatment and over-treatment scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Object-affected harmful factors

If impedance control is tightly regulated to prevent tissue damage, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue damage preventionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-regulating control system that uses the tissue's own impedance characteristics as the control parameter. The system automatically adjusts energy delivery based on real-time impedance feedback without requiring complex external monitoring or manual intervention. The control unit processes impedance signals and modulates power delivery through integrated circuitry, creating a self-adjusting system that prevents tissue damage while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution ensures reliable and consistent tissue fusion by maintaining a stable process time in phase II, preventing irreversible tissue changes and ensuring high-quality vascular anastomosis and coagulation.

Implementation Method 1

an electrical source (21) which supplies a current to the biological tissue (19)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2520241B1Device for tissue fusion or coagulation by means of tissue resistance-dependent voltage-controlled electric force
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
  • EP2520241B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2520241B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2520241B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The method involves attaching an electrode (16) to an electrical source i.e. direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) voltage source, to be connected with a counter-electrode (17). Electrical tissue resistance is determined between the electrodes. An output voltage i.e. high-frequency AC voltage, is output from the source and controlled through the determined tissue resistance. A functional relationship having parameters e.g. open-circuit voltage, is determined for controlling the output voltage depending on a function of the determined tissue resistance. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for tissue fusion or coagulation using an electrode (2) a device for tissue fusion or coagulation by high-frequency AC current.