Ultrasonic End Effector Coating for Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for more minimally invasive medical devices to reduce the burden on patients, and existing ultrasonic surgical blades may not adequately address this need by causing heat invasion to surrounding tissues during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a coating material comprising a resin as a base and hollow particles of varying sizes, which reduces heat conduction by creating a longer heat conduction path and provides insulation, thereby minimizing heat transfer to surrounding tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the end effector to cut and coagulate tissue, then cutting and coagulation effectiveness is improved, but heat invasion to surrounding tissues occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a coating with different thermal properties to specific regions of the end effector. The coating contains hollow particles that create heat insulation layers, allowing the treatment surface to maintain high temperature for effective cutting and coagulation while protecting surrounding tissues from heat invasion through the insulating coating layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite coating material consisting of a resin base mixed with hollow particles of different sizes and densities. This composite structure creates a multi-layered heat insulation system that effectively blocks heat transmission to surrounding tissues while maintaining the ultrasonic cutting and coagulation function at the treatment surface.
2Temperature
If a coating is applied to the end effector to reduce heat conduction, then heat insulation performance is improved, but adhesion strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a coating containing hollow particles that create a porous structure. This porous coating provides effective heat insulation through air trapping and extended heat conduction paths, while the resin base material ensures adequate adhesion to the end effector surface. The hollow particles are distributed throughout the coating to maximize thermal insulation without compromising structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the coating by incorporating hollow particles of varying sizes and densities. This changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the coating material, creating effective heat insulation. The resin base material maintains the coating's adhesion properties, balancing thermal insulation performance with mechanical strength.
3Temperature
If hollow particles are mixed into the resin coating, then heat conduction path is lengthened and insulation improved, but coating complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hollow particles of different sizes to create a porous coating structure that effectively lengthens heat conduction paths. The particles are mixed into the resin base material, creating a relatively simple manufacturing process. The varying particle sizes create a more efficient insulation structure without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing procedures.
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 device effectively prevents heat invasion to surrounding tissues, reducing patient burden and improving procedural workability by using a coating with hollow particles and projections/depressions that inhibit heat conduction and maintain adhesion strength.
Implementation Method 1
a coating configured to cover the end effector, and having at least either of a hollow space and projections and depressions
Implementation Method 2
generates mechanical vibration at an ultrasonic frequency using an ultrasonic transducer, and transmits the mechanical vibration to an end effector through a transmission component
Implementation Method 3
The vibrational motion of the end effector generates heat in tissue, to cut and coagulate the tissue
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6
AI summary
A medical device (11) for cauterizing or incising a living tissue with energy such as ultrasonic wave or high frequency current, the end effector (28) for outputting energy is partially covered by a low thermal conductivity film having a hollow space or irregularities (31), thereby reducing the influence of heat on surrounding tissues different from the treatment target.