Combination Ultrasonic-Electrosurgical Instrument for Tissue Dissection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments lack the ability to efficiently combine ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy modalities for precise and efficient tissue treatment, with ultrasonic scalpels being slow and imprecise, and monopolar scalpels experiencing eschar buildup.
Innovation Solution
A combination ultrasonic and electrosurgical surgical instrument featuring a tapered blade with dual energy modalities, where the elongated edge is conductive for monopolar energy and the side is insulative for ultrasonic energy, allowing simultaneous or independent application of both energies for precise dissection and coagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ultrasonic energy is used for tissue treatment, then tissue heating and treatment capability is improved, but cutting speed and precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ultrasonic energy delivery and monopolar electrosurgical energy delivery in a single blade assembly. The blade includes an ultrasonic transducer for mechanical vibration-based tissue heating and a conductive coating for monopolar RF energy delivery, allowing both energy modalities to work simultaneously on the same tissue target.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is designed with multiple functions: the ultrasonic transducer provides mechanical vibration for tissue cutting and heating, while the conductive coating enables monopolar electrosurgical energy delivery for precise cutting and coagulation. This multi-functional design allows the single blade to perform both ultrasonic and electrosurgical operations.
2Measurement precision
If monopolar electrosurgical energy is used for tissue dissection, then cutting precision is improved, but eschar buildup occurs on the blade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ultrasonic vibration capability with monopolar electrosurgical energy delivery on the same blade. The ultrasonic transducer generates mechanical vibrations that continuously agitate the blade surface, preventing eschar accumulation while the monopolar energy provides precise cutting through controlled electrical current.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic transducer generates high-frequency mechanical vibrations (typically 20-100 kHz) that cause the blade to vibrate during operation. This mechanical vibration prevents eschar buildup by continuously disrupting the formation of adherent char layers on the blade surface, while maintaining precise cutting through the combined effect of vibration and electrical energy.
3Device complexity
If a single energy modality is used for tissue treatment, then device simplicity is maintained, but treatment versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates two distinct energy delivery systems into a single blade assembly: an ultrasonic transducer for mechanical vibration-based treatment and a conductive coating for monopolar RF energy delivery. This allows the device to provide both ultrasonic and electrosurgical functions without requiring separate instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is designed as a universal platform that can deliver multiple energy modalities: mechanical vibration from the ultrasonic transducer for tissue cutting and heating, plus monopolar electrosurgical energy from the conductive coating for precise cutting and coagulation. This multi-functional design enables treatment of various tissue types using different energy combinations.
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 rapid and precise tissue dissection and coagulation with minimal eschar buildup, enhancing surgical efficiency and versatility across various tissue types.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic surgical instruments and systems utilize mechanical vibration energy transmitted at ultrasonic frequencies to treat tissue
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic energy transmitted to the blade causes the blade to vibrate at very high frequencies, which allows for heating tissue
Implementation Method 3
an electrosurgical instrument or system may be configured to deliver monopolar RF energy from an active electrode to tissue in contact with the electrode
Implementation Method 4
The elongated edge and side of the spatula-like distal end are coated with an electrically conductive material... the waveguide is coated with an insulative material selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramic and polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A combination ultrasonic and electrosurgical surgical instrument includes a housing having an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the housing and a wave guide configured to support an ultrasonic blade operably coupled to the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is configured to receive ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is tapered along both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defined therealong and defines an elongated edge on an upper surface thereof terminating at a spatula-like distal end. The elongated edge and side of the spatula-like distal end are coated with an electrically conductive material and are both adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that activation of the electrosurgical energy source and the ultrasonic transducer treat tissue with both electrosurgical energy and ultrasonic energy.