Bipolar Forceps End Effector Aperture Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical devices face challenges in providing precise and controlled energy delivery for tissue cutting and coagulation, particularly in ensuring effective hemostasis and minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
Innovation Solution
The design of an end effector with interlocking jaw members and electrodes that deliver energy through a controlled aperture, allowing for precise tissue grasping and energy application, combined with a cutting mechanism for transection, enhances the precision and effectiveness of electrosurgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bipolar electrosurgical devices are used to deliver energy through electrodes, then hemostasis and tissue sealing are improved, but precision and control of energy delivery are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is divided into separate first and second jaw members, each with its own electrode. This segmentation allows independent positioning and control of each electrode relative to the tissue, enabling precise targeting of energy delivery while maintaining effective hemostasis through the bipolar configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are designed with specific geometric configurations and positioning mechanisms that allow local optimization of energy delivery. The first electrode on the first jaw member and the second electrode on the second jaw member can be independently adjusted to achieve optimal local contact with the tissue, ensuring precise energy application where needed while maintaining reliable hemostasis.
2Manufacturing precision
If RF energy is applied to tissue for cutting and sealing, then surgical precision is improved, but damage to surrounding tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar electrode configuration concentrates RF energy delivery to the localized region between the first and second electrodes where tissue is grasped. This local quality approach ensures that thermal effects are confined to the treatment site, achieving surgical precision while minimizing thermal spread and damage to surrounding healthy tissue through the inherent current return path through the grasped tissue itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The grasped tissue acts as an intermediary medium that conducts the RF current between the first and second electrodes. This intermediary configuration ensures that energy is delivered precisely where the tissue is clamped, creating a natural barrier that prevents energy spread to surrounding areas and reduces harmful thermal effects beyond the treatment zone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are used for energy delivery, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second electrodes are integrated into the first and second jaw members respectively, merging the electrode function with the mechanical grasping function. This combination allows the electrodes to be positioned and secured together on the tissue through the jaw closure mechanism, achieving multiple energy delivery functions while reducing overall device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector with its bipolar electrode configuration is designed to perform multiple functions including tissue grasping, energy delivery for sealing, and hemostasis. The first and second electrodes work together in a unified bipolar system that can adapt to different tissue types and surgical requirements, providing functional versatility without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function.
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
This configuration enables precise tissue sealing and cutting while minimizing damage to adjacent tissue, improving the overall efficiency and safety of electrosurgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
RF energy is a form of electrical energy that may be in the frequency range of 100 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, thereby increasing the temperature of the tissue.
Implementation Method 2
transmit low frequency RF energy through tissue, which causes ionic agitation, or friction, in effect resistive heating
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first jaw member. The first jaw member comprises a first electrode. The first jaw member defines a first aperture at a distal end. The end effector includes a second jaw member. The second jaw member comprises a second electrode. The second jaw member defines a second aperture at a distal end. The second jaw member is operatively coupled to the first jaw member. The first and second apertures are configured to define a single aperture when the first and second jaw members are in a closed position. The first and second electrodes are configured to deliver energy.