Fluid-Cooled Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments With Internal Cooling Lumens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic surgical instruments reach high temperatures during use, posing a risk of damage and affecting performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a fluid-cooled ultrasonic surgical system with longitudinal and transverse lumens in the waveguide body for efficient cooling, utilizing inflow and outflow conduits to circulate cooling fluid through the instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic energy is transmitted through the waveguide to treat tissue, then surgical performance is improved, but the waveguide temperature increases to dangerous levels
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance that circulates through internal lumens within the waveguide. This fluid acts as a heat transfer medium, absorbing thermal energy from the ultrasonic waveguide and carrying it away to a heat exchanger, thereby maintaining the waveguide at safe operating temperatures while preserving ultrasonic surgical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hydraulic cooling system where cooling fluid is pumped through the waveguide structure. The fluid circulation system includes pumps, heat exchangers, and internal fluid passages that utilize hydraulic principles to efficiently remove heat from the ultrasonic waveguide during surgical operation
2Temperature
If internal cooling lumens are added to the waveguide, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling lumens are nested within the waveguide structure itself, with internal fluid passages integrated into the waveguide body. This nesting approach allows the cooling system to be incorporated without significantly increasing the external dimensions or overall structural complexity of the ultrasonic instrument
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: transmitting ultrasonic energy for tissue treatment and conducting cooling fluid for thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
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
Effectively cools the ultrasonic surgical instrument from high temperatures to safe operating levels within seconds, enhancing durability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
Inflow and outflow conduits are fluidly coupled with the first and second proximal transverse apertures, respectively, to enable the inflow of fluid into the first longitudinal lumen and the outflow of fluid from the second longitudinal lumen
Implementation Method 2
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the distal transverse lumen extends from a distal transverse aperture and a distal transverse aperture plug closes the distal transverse aperture to inhibit escape of fluid therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic surgical system includes a waveguide defining first and second longitudinal lumens extending through at least a portion of a length of the waveguide. A distal transverse lumen is defined within the waveguide transversely through at least a portion of the waveguide to intersect and interconnect the first and second longitudinal lumens. First and second proximal transverse lumens extend from first and second proximal transverse apertures within the waveguide transversely through portions of the waveguide to intersect the first and second longitudinal lumens, respectively. Inflow and outflow conduits are fluidly coupled with the first and second proximal transverse apertures, respectively, to enable the inflow of fluid into the first longitudinal lumen and the outflow of fluid from the second longitudinal lumen, respectively.