Bipolar Forceps Circular Cutter for Small Cannula Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Design challenges arise for electrosurgical instruments configured for use with small cannulas less than five millimeters, as they require precise mechanisms to effectively grasp, seal, and cut tissue while minimizing scarring and healing time in minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A bipolar forceps with a shaft and end effector assembly featuring jaw members that can move between open and closed positions, incorporating a knife assembly with a cutter of generally circular cross-section for cutting tissue, and electrically conductive tissue sealing plates connected to an electrosurgical energy source, along with an actuator to reciprocate the cutter within a knife channel for precise tissue division.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electrosurgical instruments are configured for use with small cannulas (less than five millimeters), then scarring and healing time are reduced, but design challenges arise in achieving effective tissue grasping, sealing, and cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector assembly is nested within a protective sheath that can be inserted through small cannulas. The sheath contains the jaw members and knife assembly in a compact configuration, allowing the entire device to pass through small access ports while maintaining full functionality once deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a drive assembly within the handle, a shaft, an end effector assembly with jaw members, and a separate knife assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates insertion through small cannulas while maintaining effective tissue manipulation capabilities
2Ease of operation
If the cutter is made with a generally circular cross-section, then the cutter can reciprocate smoothly within the knife channel, but the knife assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter is given a generally circular cross-section instead of a straight blade design. This curved geometry allows the cutter to reciprocate smoothly within the knife channel while maintaining effective tissue cutting capability, as the circular shape naturally follows the reciprocating motion path
3Reliability
If electrically conductive tissue sealing plates are added to the jaw members, then tissue sealing capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue sealing function is merged with the existing jaw members by incorporating electrically conductive sealing plates directly onto the jaw surfaces. This integration allows tissue sealing to be achieved during the grasping operation without requiring separate sealing mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while minimizing additional 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
Enables effective tissue sealing and cutting through the delivery of electrosurgical energy, facilitating efficient tissue manipulation and division, suitable for various access port sizes, including those greater than and less than five millimeters, thereby addressing design challenges and improving procedural outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The electrically conductive tissue sealing plates are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source and are configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue held between the jaw members to effect a tissue seal
Data Source
AI summary
A bipolar forceps includes a shaft extending from a housing and includes an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly has a pair of jaw members movable between an open position and a closed position. A knife assembly includes a cutter having a generally circular cross-section. The cutter is configured to cut tissue when the jaw members are in the closed position. One or more electrically conductive tissue sealing plates are disposed on each of the jaw members. The tissue sealing plates are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue held between the jaw members to effect a tissue seal. An actuator is operably coupled to the knife assembly and is configured to selectively reciprocate the cutter relative to the jaw members.