Balanced Ultrasonic Blade Fluid Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices face challenges in balancing asymmetric blades, which are costly and complex to manufacture, and require effective fluid management systems for surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a fluid management system integrated into its mounting portion, featuring a balanced ultrasonic blade with a straight and curved section, and a flexible shaft with a bendable waveguide, allowing for precise control and efficient tissue cutting and coagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If asymmetric blades are machined into a curved state and balanced by machining notches or features, then blade balance and vibration reduction are improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the ultrasonic blade with an asymmetric cross-sectional geometry that is inherently balanced without requiring additional notches or features. The blade profile is specifically shaped to minimize transverse vibration modes while maintaining the desired curved configuration, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing balancing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the blade cross-section to achieve balance. By optimizing the asymmetric profile dimensions and curvature radii, the blade achieves minimal transverse vibration without requiring additional machining features, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining stability.
2Measurement precision
If a fluid management system is integrated into the instrument mounting portion, then fluid delivery precision and surgical effectiveness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid management system with the instrument mounting portion by integrating fluid reservoirs, delivery channels, and dispensing mechanisms directly into the mounting structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external fluid management components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise fluid delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument mounting portion is designed to serve multiple functions: mechanical mounting of the ultrasonic instrument, electrical connection, and fluid management. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device architecture while ensuring precise fluid delivery for surgical effectiveness.
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 solution enables efficient tissue cutting and coagulation with reduced vibration, improved balance, and effective fluid management, enhancing surgical precision and reducing costs associated with blade manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
Vibrating at high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade denatures protein in the tissue to form a sticky coagulum
Implementation Method 2
Pressure exerted on tissue by the blade surface collapses blood vessels and allows the coagulum to form a hemostatic seal
Implementation Method 3
electrical current is introduced into the tissue. Heat generated by the current flow through the tissue may form haemostatic seals within the tissue
Implementation Method 4
RF energy may be in the frequency range of 300 kHz to 1 MHz. During its operation, an electrosurgical device can transmit low frequency RF energy through tissue, which causes ionic agitation, or friction, in effect resistive heating
Implementation Method 5
The blade is acoustically coupled to the transducer via a waveguide extending through the shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
Various surgical instruments are disclosed. At least one surgical instrument includes an instrument mounting portion configured to mount to a robotic surgical system. The instrument mounting portion includes an interface to mechanically and electrically interface to the surgical instrument adapted for use with the robotic surgical system. A fluid management system is contained within the instrument mounting portion. The fluid management system includes a first container to contain a first fluid agent to be dispensed.