Bipolar Forceps Tip Plating for Protein Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bipolar forceps made of stainless steel or titanium alloy suffer from protein deposition on their tip end portions during high-frequency surgical procedures, leading to reduced effectiveness and the need for frequent cleaning interruptions.

Innovation Solution

The bipolar forceps feature a composite plating film of noble metals and nonconductive fine particles, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, on the tip end portions, which reduces protein adhesion by creating a rough surface and is protected by a laminate noble metal film, maintaining surface roughness and conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-frequency current is increased to carry out quick and accurate surgical operation, then surgical efficiency is improved, but protein deposition on tip end portions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidprotein deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by plating the tip end portions with a noble metal (such as gold or platinum) that has both excellent electrical conductivity and non-stick properties. This composite plating structure allows the forceps to maintain high surgical efficiency through good electrical conductivity while simultaneously preventing protein deposition through the non-stick surface characteristics of the noble metal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If noble metal plated film is applied to improve conductivity and corrosion resistance, then electrical conductivity is improved, but protein deposition suppression is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidprotein deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface parameters of the noble metal plated film by controlling the plating conditions to create a specific surface roughness (Ra: 0.05μm to 2μm). This parameter change in surface texture provides microscopic current density distribution that enhances both electrical conductivity and protein deposition suppression, overcoming the limitation of conventional smooth plated surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high-frequency current is applied for coagulation and hemostasis, then surgical manipulation effectiveness is improved, but decomposition product attachment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical manipulation effectivenessVSAvoiddecomposition product attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high-frequency current-induced protein decomposition into a beneficial outcome by using the noble metal plated surface. The noble metal's non-stick properties prevent decomposition products from adhering to the forceps surface, while the excellent electrical conductivity ensures effective coagulation and hemostasis. This transforms the potential harm of protein attachment into an opportunity for sustained surgical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 design significantly reduces protein deposition and adhesion, allowing for uninterrupted surgical procedures with improved cleanliness and performance, maintaining the original manipulation efficiency and reducing operation time.

Implementation Method 1

opposed surfaces of tip end portions of said pair of arms are each coated with a composite plating film of a noble metal material and nonconductive fine particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface roughness:

Implementation Method 2

application of a high-frequency current across the opposed surfaces permits easy coagulation on bodily tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

a high-frequency current is applied across the opposed surfaces of the tip end portions for coagulation, hemostasis, dissection or similar surgical manipulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS7867230B2Bipolar forceps

Publication Date: 2011.01.11 MIKAMI

AI summary

This invention provides bipolar forceps that are used for coagulation, dissection or similar surgical manipulation by the application of a high-frequency current in a surgical operation, which suppresses attachment and sticking of burned protein to arm tip end portions irrespective of the properties of the metal material forming the arms. The bipolar forceps according to the present invention have on each of opposed surfaces 1a of the tip end portions 1 of a pair of arms a composite plating film 3 composed of a noble metal material 3a and nonconductive fine particles 3b, and a laminate plating film 4 of a noble metal material formed on the composite plating film 3.