Variable stiffness pusher for electrosurgical bipolar forceps

Abstract

The present application is a variable stiffness push knife for bipolar forceps in electrosurgery, which is used in the structure of the forceps head, the main body of which is a blade, the blade is divided into several different areas according to its running direction, and the division standard of the areas is that the hardness between adjacent areas is different. The beneficial effects of the present application are: 1. By dividing the blade into areas and adjusting the divided areas, the hardness of different areas is different, the smoothness of the variable stiffness blade in the operation of the curved (or S-shaped) sliding groove is improved, and the closing force required for the push blade to cut the tissue is reduced; 2. The main way to improve the blade is to reduce the material of the blade, so as to save materials, and the overall weight of the blade is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of medical devices, in particular to a variable stiffness pusher for bipolar electrosurgical forceps. BACKGROUND

[0002] Forceps or hemostats are clamp-like devices, detailed structural description such as surgical forceps (CN103505282B), surgical instruments with jaw members (CN103429182B), all belong to the products that use electrical energy, ultrasonic energy, light energy, microwave energy, heat and other energy to heat the tissue to achieve coagulation and / or cauterization of the tissue to achieve hemostasis. After achieving tissue sealing, the surgeon must accurately dissect the tissue along the newly formed tissue seal. Therefore, a variety of tissue sealing devices have been designed to include a blade that can move in a blade slot on the jaw of a bipolar forceps device in order to dissect the tissue after forming a tissue seal.

[0003] Because the shape of the cutting slot is commonly two types, straight and curved (or S-shaped). Especially in the curved (or S-shaped) structure, when the pusher blade advances to cut, the resistance to advance at the curved part rises sharply, the smoothness of operation decreases accordingly, and the operator's hand fatigue increases after multiple uses. At the same time, the blade edge part scratches on the inner wall of the sliding groove during the advancing process, the edge is easy to wear, and the sharp dissection of the tissue and vessels may require additional surgical scissors and other instruments to complete, thereby increasing the complexity of the operation. The present application improves the smoothness of the existing blade in the curved (or S-shaped) variable stiffness pusher blade in the bipolar electrosurgical forceps and the wearability of the edge. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide a variable stiffness pusher for bipolar electrosurgical forceps, which divides the blade into different regions and adjusts the divided regions to achieve different hardness in different regions, improves the smoothness of the variable stiffness blade in the curved (or S-shaped) sliding groove, and reduces the closing force required for the pusher blade to cut the tissue.

[0005] The present application is achieved by the following technical scheme: a variable stiffness pusher for bipolar electrosurgical forceps, which is used in the structure of the forceps head, the main body of which is a blade, the blade is divided into several different regions according to its advancing direction, and the division standard of the regions is that the hardness of adjacent regions is different.

[0006] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following advantages:

[0007] 1. By dividing the blade into different regions and adjusting the divided regions, different hardness in different regions is achieved, the smoothness of the variable stiffness blade in the curved (or S-shaped) sliding groove is improved, and the closing force required for the pusher blade to cut the tissue is reduced.

[0008] 2、The main way to improve the blade is to reduce the material of the blade, so as to save material and reduce the overall weight of the blade. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a bending (or S-shaped) head structure in the prior art in the embodiment of the present application;

[0010] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the thickness of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0011] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0012] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0013] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0014] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a structure for realizing variable rigidity by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the blade in the embodiment of the present application;

[0020] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0021] 101 blade edge, 102 blade edge proximal region, 103 variable rigidity region, 104 blade edge distal region;

[0022] 201 blade edge, 202 blade edge proximal region, 203 variable rigidity region, 204 blade edge distal region, 200A reinforcing rib;

[0023] 211 cutting edge, 212 cutting edge proximal region, 213 variable stiffness region, 214 cutting edge distal region, 210A reinforcing rib;

[0024] 221 cutting edge, 222 cutting edge proximal region, 223 variable stiffness region, 224 cutting edge distal region, 220A notch;

[0025] 2201 Figure 6 corresponding to the blade tip of the medium stiffness version;

[0026] 2202 Figure 7 corresponding to the blade tip of the medium original version;

[0027] 231 cutting edge, 232 cutting edge proximal region, 233 variable stiffness region, 234 cutting edge distal region, 230A hollow structure;

[0028] 301 cutting edge, 302 cutting edge proximal region, 303 variable stiffness region, 304 cutting edge distal region;

[0029] 411 cutting edge, 410 blade body, 420 reinforcing plate, 430 reinforcing plate, 410A round hole, 410B round hole and 410C round hole, 430A waist-shaped hole, 430B round hole, 430C round hole, 440 pin, 450 pin, 460 pin; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0031] As Figure 1 shown: it is used in the structure of the forceps head, the main body is the blade, the blade is divided into several different regions according to its direction of travel, and the division standard of the region is that the hardness is different between adjacent regions.

[0032] The forceps head structure here is a bending (or S-shaped) forceps head structure in the prior art, which is generally composed of an upper jaw 10, a lower jaw 20 and a push blade 50. The lower jaw 20 is provided with an electrode sheet 30, and similarly, the upper jaw 10 is provided with another electrode sheet 40. Any one of the electrode sheet 30 and the electrode sheet 40 serves as a positive electrode, and the other serves as a negative electrode. A bending (or S-shaped) sliding groove 21 is provided on the lower jaw 20 and the electrode sheet 30, and similarly, a bending (or S-shaped) sliding groove of the same shape is provided on the upper jaw 20 and the electrode sheet 40 (not shown in the figure). When the upper jaw 10 and the lower jaw 20 hold the target (biological tissue, blood vessels, etc.) and pass through a high-frequency current (0.3MHz-5MHz), the held blood vessels can be closed, and after the closure, the push blade 50 can be pushed to slide in the bending (or S-shaped) sliding groove 21, so that the target is cut and separated. These structures belong to the prior art and are only briefly described.

[0033] In combination with the final use effect, cost and processing technology, the blade is divided into three different regions, namely the blade edge proximal region adjacent to the blade edge, the variable stiffness region connected with the blade edge proximal region, and the blade edge distal region connected with the variable stiffness region; wherein the hardness of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region is higher than that of the variable stiffness region.

[0034] According to the differences of the blade edge proximal region, the variable stiffness region and the blade edge distal region, the following different embodiments are adopted in the application:

[0035] Embodiment 1

[0036] As shown in Figure 2 : the thickness of the variable stiffness region is less than that of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region.

[0037] Specifically, the blade structure is composed of the blade edge 101, the blade edge proximal region 102, the variable stiffness region 103 and the blade edge distal region 104, wherein the blade edge 101 is a conventional single-sided opening blade structure, the variable stiffness region 103 divides the entire blade body into the blade edge proximal region 102 and the blade edge distal region 104, and due to the thickness of the variable stiffness region 103 being lower than that of the blade edge proximal region 102 and the blade edge distal region 104, the anti-deformation ability is reduced, and in the curved (or S-shaped) sliding groove, the sliding is more smooth at the bending position, while the blade edge proximal region 102 and the blade edge distal region 104 need to ensure that in the process of further advancing, when encountering cutting resistance, they can be deformed under a larger pushing force, and therefore require higher stiffness, so as to realize the change rule of the blade stiffness from high to low to high from the blade edge proximal region to the blade edge distal region.

[0038] Embodiment 2

[0039] As shown in Figure 3 , 4 : the thickness of the variable stiffness region is similar to that of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region, and the upper edge or / and the lower edge of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region is provided with a reinforcing rib.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3 : the side surface of the reinforcing rib is flush with the side surface of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region, so that the cross section of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region is in the shape of [.

[0041] Specifically, the blade structure is composed of the cutting edge 201, the cutting edge proximal region 202, the variable stiffness region 203 and the cutting edge distal region 204. The cutting edge 201 is a conventional single-side cutting structure. The variable stiffness region 203 divides the entire blade body into the cutting edge proximal region 202 and the cutting edge distal region 204. The cutting edge proximal region 202 and the cutting edge distal region 204 both include the reinforcing rib 200A, which is a single-side reinforcing structure with a cross-section in the shape of "[". The variable stiffness region 203 has a lower stiffness due to the absence of the reinforcing rib 200A.

[0042] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, the middle line of the reinforcing rib is flush with the middle line of the cutting edge proximal region and the cutting edge distal region, so that the cross-section of the cutting edge proximal region and the cutting edge distal region is in the shape of "I". Figure 4

[0043] Specifically, the blade structure is composed of the cutting edge 211, the variable stiffness region 213, the cutting edge proximal region 212, the cutting edge distal region 214, and the reinforcing rib 210A included in the cutting edge proximal region 212 and the cutting edge distal region 214. The reinforcing rib 210A is a double-side reinforcing structure with a cross-section in the shape of "I" (or I-shaped). The cutting edge 211 is a conventional double-side cutting structure. According to the formula for calculating the bending stiffness in engineering mechanics, the stiffness of the cross-section of the variable stiffness region 203, 213 is lower than the stiffness of the cross-section of the cutting edge proximal region 202, 212 and the cutting edge distal region 204, 214, thereby realizing the change rule of the blade stiffness from high to low to high from the cutting edge proximal region to the cutting edge distal region.

[0044] Embodiment 3

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2D, the upper part and / or the lower part of the variable stiffness region is provided with a notch, so that the height of the variable stiffness region is lower than the height of the cutting edge proximal region and the cutting edge distal region. Figure 5

[0046] Specifically, the blade structure is composed of the cutting edge 221, the cutting edge proximal region 222, the variable stiffness region 223 and the cutting edge distal region 224. Figure 5 The upper part and the lower part of the variable stiffness region 223 are provided with the notch 220A. Of course, the notch 220A can be provided only in the upper part or the lower part of the variable stiffness region 223. The notch 220A is used to reduce the bending stiffness of the cross-section and reduce the stiffness of the variable stiffness region 223.

[0047] In this embodiment, the thickness of the variable stiffness region 223 is lower than the thickness of the cutting edge proximal region 222 and the cutting edge distal region 224. Figure 6 The shape of the variable stiffness region 223 is compared with Figure 7 ​​The volume of the shape is reduced to 85%. A force (labeled "Press" in the figure) is applied at the blade edge 211 in the direction shown in the figure to simulate the cutting resistance in a straight line, and a mechanical simulation analysis is performed. Here, the force (labeled "Press" in the figure) is normalized, and the analysis results are as follows. Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 In Figure 6 Compared to the 2201 blade tip corresponding to the structure Figure 6 The deformation at the blade tip (2202) corresponding to the structure increased by only 7% compared to the maximum deformation. Calculations prove this. Figure 6 The blade structure shown effectively reduces weight while maintaining overall rigidity and minimizing loss in propulsion. Figure 8 In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the length direction coordinate, and the vertical axis represents the normalized deformation.

[0048] Example 4

[0049] like Figure 9 As shown: The center of the variable stiffness region has a hollow structure, which makes the hardness of the variable stiffness region less than the hardness of the near end region and the far end region of the cutting edge.

[0050] Specifically, the blade structure consists of the cutting edge 231, the proximal region 232 of the cutting edge, the variable stiffness region 233, and the distal region 234 of the cutting edge. The variable stiffness region 233 is provided with the hollow structure 230A, which is used to reduce the bending stiffness of the cross section, thereby reducing the stiffness of the variable stiffness region 233.

[0051] The final effect achieved in Example 3 is the same as that in Example 3.

[0052] Example 5

[0053] like Figure 10 As shown: the cross-sectional shape of any position in the variable stiffness region is different from the cross-sectional shape of any position in the near-end region and the far-end region of the cutting edge, and the processing technology of the variable stiffness region is different from that of the near-end region and the far-end region of the cutting edge, so that the hardness of the variable stiffness region is less than that of the near-end region and the far-end region of the cutting edge.

[0054] The blade structure consists of a cutting edge 301, a proximal region 302, a variable hardness region 303, and a distal region 304. The cutting edge 301, the proximal region 302, and the distal region 304 are treated with the same heat treatment method, and their hardness is higher than that of the variable hardness region 303. In this specific embodiment, medical-grade stainless steel, such as 0Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb, is selected as the material. A constant-temperature treatment is applied to the variable-strength region 303, and this region is clamped using a circulating liquid cooling device to prevent changes in the metallographic structure of this region during heating in other regions due to solution treatment and failure treatment, maintaining its hardness below 38 HRC. Simultaneously, a solution treatment at 1040℃ is first applied to the cutting edge 301, the proximal cutting edge region 302, and the distal cutting edge region 304, with liquid cooling during the cooling process. After the solution treatment, tempering is performed at 480℃, followed by approximately 4 hours of aging and heat preservation treatment. After heat preservation, air cooling can be used to achieve a hardness ≥44 HRC. The difference in hardness causes the equivalent stiffness of the blade to change from high-low-high from the proximal to the distal cutting edge.

[0055] Example 6

[0056] The cross-sectional shape of the variable stiffness region at any position is different from the cross-sectional shape of the near-end region and the far-end region of the cutting edge, and the material of the variable stiffness region is different from the material of the near-end region and the far-end region of the cutting edge, so that the hardness of the variable stiffness region is less than that of the near-end region and the far-end region of the cutting edge.

[0057] Example 7

[0058] like Figure 11 As shown: The blade has a reinforcing plate on one or both sides of the variable stiffness region and the distal edge region; wherein, the distal edge region of the blade is fixedly connected to the reinforcing plate, so that the distal edge region of the blade and the reinforcing plate are connected to form an integral unit; the variable stiffness region and the reinforcing plate are in an overlapping relationship, so that when the blade is bent, the variable stiffness region and the reinforcing plate can slide relative to each other.

[0059] The blade structure consists of the cutting edge 411, the blade body 410, and two reinforcing plates 420 and 430, which are identical in shape and size. The blade body 410 has circular holes 410A, 410B, and 410C at the distal end of the cutting edge. The reinforcing plates 420 and 430 have oblong holes 430A, 430B, and 430C. The oblong holes 410A and 430A are located in the variable stiffness region, while the circular holes 410B, 410C, 430B, and 430C are distributed at the distal end of the cutting edge.

[0060] The pin 440 is fixed on the round hole 410A of the blade body 410, and passes through the waist-shaped hole 430A; the round hole 430B is fixedly connected with the round hole 410B through the pin 450, and the round hole 430C is fixedly connected with the round hole 410C through the pin 460.

[0061] Since the round holes at the pins 450 and 460 are relatively fixed, the waist-shaped hole 430A at the pin 440 can be relatively changed. The section from the round hole 410A to the blade edge 411 is the proximal end region of the blade edge; the section from the round hole 410A to the round hole 410B is the variable stiffness region; and the section from the round hole 410B to the round hole 410C is the distal end region of the blade edge.

[0062] Since the blade body 410 and the two reinforcing plates 420 and 430 are overlapped with each other in the range from the round hole 410A to the round hole 410B, can relatively slide, and are not bonded or fixed, when the blade edge 411 is stressed in the non-bending condition, the blade body 410 and the two reinforcing plates 420 and 430 are consistent in the direction of the supporting force of the blade edge 410, and are unchanged in the relative position and shape along the length direction, and the whole is in a higher stiffness state. When bending, since the inner and outer bending radii are different, and the hole at the pin 450 is relatively fixed, the pin 440 fixed on the blade body 410 slides in the waist-shaped hole 430A, the position of the pin 440 at the outer end of the bending circular arc is relatively moved forward to the center of the waist-shaped hole 430A, and the position of the pin 440 at the inner end of the bending circular arc is relatively moved backward to the center of the waist-shaped hole 430A, since the reinforcing plates 420 and 430 on the inner and outer sides slide relative to the blade edge 410, the supporting force of the blade edge 410 on the two sides along the length direction is low, and the overall blade body is in a lower stiffness state, that is, the bending (or S-shaped) sliding groove is also realized to be more smoothly slid at the bending position. The blade body at the position section from the round hole 410B to the round hole 410C at the distal end region of the blade edge is relatively fixed, and the “composite stiffness” of the three is only second to the blade body with the same thickness, so that when the blade is pushed into the bending (or S-shaped) sliding groove, the distal end region of the blade edge can provide stronger supporting force, so as to ensure that the blade has enough pushing force to slide.

[0063] Finally, it should be noted that the above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application, and is not used to limit the present application, although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalently replace some technical features, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A variable stiffness pusher for a bipolar electrosurgical forceps, for use in a forceps head structure, characterised in that: The main body of the blade is divided into several different regions according to the direction of travel, and the division standard of the regions is the hardness difference between adjacent regions. The blade is divided into three different regions, namely the blade edge proximal region, the variable stiffness region connected with the blade edge proximal region, and the blade edge distal region connected with the variable stiffness region; the hardness of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region is higher than that of the variable stiffness region.

2. The variable stiffness pusher of a bipolar forceps for electrosurgery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the variable stiffness region is less than that of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region.

3. The variable stiffness pusher of a bipolar forceps for electrosurgery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the variable stiffness region is similar to that of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region, and the upper edge or / and the lower edge of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region is provided with a reinforcing rib.

4. The variable stiffness pusher of a bipolar forceps for electrosurgery according to claim 2, characterized in that: The side surface of the reinforcing rib is flush with the side surface of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region, so that the cross section of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region is in the form of [.

5. The variable stiffness pusher of a bipolar forceps for electrosurgery according to claim 2, characterized in that: The center line of the reinforcing rib is flush with the center line of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region, so that the cross section of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region is in the form of I.

6. The variable stiffness pusher of a bipolar electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1, wherein: The upper part or / and the lower part of the variable stiffness region is provided with a notch, so that the height of the variable stiffness region is less than that of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region.

7. The variable stiffness pusher of a bipolar forceps for electrosurgery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle part of the variable stiffness region is provided with a hollow structure, so that the hardness of the variable stiffness region is less than that of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region.

8. The variable stiffness pusher of a bipolar electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1, wherein: The cross-sectional shape of the variable stiffness region at any position is the same as that of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region at any position, and the processing technology of the variable stiffness region is different from that of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region, so that the hardness of the variable stiffness region is less than that of the blade edge proximal region and the blade edge distal region.

9. The variable stiffness pusher of a bipolar forceps for electrosurgery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The variable stiffness region and the blade edge distal region of the blade are provided with a reinforcing plate on one side or both sides; the blade edge distal region and the reinforcing plate are fixedly connected, so that the blade edge distal region and the reinforcing plate are integrated; the variable stiffness region and the reinforcing plate are in a lap joint relationship, so that when the blade is bent, the variable stiffness region and the reinforcing plate can slide relative to each other.

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