Tubular Electrode Fluid Retention and Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical devices face challenges in selectively applying working fluid and electrosurgical energy to target tissue, particularly in navigating narrow body passageways and achieving effective tissue penetration with minimal tissue stimulation.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical device with a tubular electrode configured to retain fluid in a straight configuration and release it when bent, integrated with an expandable balloon and bipolar electrode system, allowing for controlled delivery of RF energy and working fluid to the treatment site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the electrode is configured to retain fluid within its axial lumen in a straight configuration, then the device can navigate through narrow body passageways, but the fluid cannot be delivered to the target tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode transitions from a straight configuration during navigation to a bent configuration at the target site, dynamically changing its shape to enable both navigation through narrow passageways and fluid delivery to tissue. The bending action opens the lumen to release fluid while maintaining the ability to navigate when straight.
2Power
If RF energy is applied through the electrode to perform electrosurgical procedures, then tissue coagulation and ablation can be achieved, but muscle and nerve stimulation may occur with low frequency energy
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses high frequency RF energy (above the muscle and nerve stimulation threshold) instead of low frequency energy, changing the frequency parameter to achieve effective tissue coagulation and ablation without causing harmful muscle or nerve stimulation. The saline-conductive fluid enhances this effect by improving energy coupling to the tissue.
3Power
If a monopolar electrode configuration is used, then energy can be delivered through the patient to ground, but the return current path flows through the patient causing potential safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The ground pad electrode located on the patient is eliminated and replaced with a second electrode pole as part of the tip, extracting the harmful return current path through the patient. The bipolar configuration confines the return current to flow locally through the tissue between the two electrodes at the tip, eliminating the need for a distant ground pad.
4Ease of operation
If the electrode is bent to release fluid, then fluid delivery to tissue is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation and fluid delivery functions are merged into a single electrode structure. The same electrode that navigates through the body in a straight configuration also serves as the fluid delivery mechanism when bent, eliminating the need for separate navigation and delivery components.
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 and efficient electrosurgical procedures with reduced tissue penetration depth and minimized muscle stimulation, facilitating various surgical applications including coagulation, dissection, and tissue ablation through controlled fluid and energy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The electrode is configured to retain fluid within an axial lumen thereof when in a straight configuration, and is configured to release fluid from within its axial lumen when in a bent configuration
Implementation Method 2
Higher frequency electrical energy, and in particular electrical energy in the radiofrequency (RF) range (e.g., about 3 kilohertz to about 300 gigahertz), may not stimulate muscle or nerves, and therefore may be better suited to core and coagulate tissue
Implementation Method 3
With a bipolar tip, the ground pad electrode located on the patient is eliminated and replaced with a second electrode pole as part of the tip. These active and return electrodes of a bipolar tip are typically positioned close together to ensure that, upon application of electrical energy, current flows directly from the active to the return electrode
Implementation Method 4
The use of a saline-conductive fluid can improve the coupling of electrical energy to tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical device includes a tubular shaft defining a shaft lumen, and a tubular electrode defining an electrode lumen, the electrode being coupled to the shaft. In a straight configuration, the electrode is configured to retain fluid within the electrode lumen, and, in a bent configuration, the electrode is configured to release fluid from within the electrode lumen to an exterior of the electrode.