Transcatheter RF Wire Activation Without Coagulation Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monopolar electrosurgical accessories adapted for transcatheter electrosurgery risk inadvertent activation of coagulation radiofrequency energy, increasing the risk of thrombus formation and thromboembolic injury due to their design for open electrosurgery, which includes buttons for both cut and coagulation waveforms.
Innovation Solution
A transcatheter electrosurgical apparatus with an activator unit and accessory connector that selectively delivers only continuous, sinusoidal, low-amplitude alternating electrical current, preventing the delivery of coagulation energy, ensuring safe and effective tissue cutting by using a three-pin monopolar accessory connector and a switch element to control radiofrequency energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing monopolar electrosurgical accessories with both cut and coagulation buttons are used in transcatheter electrosurgery, then the device can provide both cutting and coagulation functions, but the risk of inadvertent coagulation activation increases leading to thrombus formation and thromboembolic injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coagulation button from the electrosurgical accessory design, extracting only the harmful coagulation function while retaining the beneficial cut function. This leaves only the cut button available for activation, eliminating the possibility of inadvertent coagulation delivery in the endovascular environment where it would cause thrombus formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality requirements to different surgical environments: in endovascular/transcatheter settings where only cut function is safe, the device provides exclusively cut capability. In contrast, open electrosurgery settings can utilize both cut and coagulation functions. This localized adaptation of device functionality to environmental requirements resolves the safety contradiction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If coagulation radiofrequency energy waveforms are used in transcatheter electrosurgery, then surgical bleeding can be reduced, but thrombus formation and thromboembolic injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recognizes that while coagulation energy can control bleeding (beneficial), it creates thrombus formation risk (harmful) in the endovascular environment. By eliminating coagulation capability entirely in this setting, the patent converts a potentially harmful function into a safe design, accepting that some bleeding control capability is lost but patient safety is preserved.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing monopolar electrosurgical accessories are adapted for transcatheter use, then the device can be used in both open and endovascular electrosurgery, but the presence of coagulation activation buttons creates safety risks in endovascular procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrosurgical device functionality by creating distinct versions: one with both cut and coagulation buttons for open surgery, and another with only the cut button for endovascular procedures. This segmentation allows each version to be optimized for its specific surgical environment, ensuring reliable safe operation in the endovascular context where only the cut-only version is deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal cut button that functions safely across both open and endovascular electrosurgery contexts. By making the cut function universal while removing the environment-specific coagulation function, the device achieves broad applicability without compromising safety in the more restrictive endovascular setting.
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
Minimizes the risk of thrombus formation and thromboembolic injury by ensuring pure cut radiofrequency energy is delivered, enhancing safety and efficacy in transcatheter electrosurgery.
Implementation Method 1
The interventional wire is electrically connected to the activator unit and configured to deliver continuous, sinusoidal, low-amplitude alternating electrical current during the minimally invasive medical procedure
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for performing a minimally invasive medical procedure. The apparatus includes an elongated flexible conductive element, an activator unit, an interventional wire, and an accessory connector. The activator unit is connected to the elongated flexible conductive element and configured to selectively activate the delivery of radiofrequency energy. The interventional wire is electrically connected to the activator unit and configured to deliver radiofrequency energy during the minimally invasive medical procedure. The accessory connector is coupled to the elongated flexible conductive element and configured to connect the elongated flexible conductive element to an electrosurgical unit to deliver continuous, sinusoidal, low-amplitude alternating electrical current from the electrosurgical unit to the elongated flexible conductive element and to the interventional wire. The activator unit is selectively activatable to only deliver the continuous, sinusoidal, low-amplitude alternating electrical current from the electrosurgical unit to the interventional wire.