Cam-Actuated Electrosurgical Jaws for Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical instruments for minimally invasive procedures face challenges in effectively cutting and sealing tissues while ensuring hemostasis, particularly in reducing tissue leakage and providing sufficient strength to withstand fluid pressure in bodily lumens.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical instrument with cam-actuated jaw members and a reciprocating member that translates through longitudinal slots, allowing for precise clamping, cutting, and sealing of tissues using electrodes for energy-induced welds, enabling both bilateral and unilateral pivotable jaw configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional electrosurgical instruments are used for cutting and sealing tissues, then basic cutting and sealing functions are provided, but insufficient force and precision are achieved for effective tissue dissection and hemostasis
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw members are designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of clamping force and position. The cam mechanism enables the jaw to transition between open and closed positions with controlled motion, providing both precision and adaptability during tissue manipulation and sealing operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instrument changes are made during procedures to achieve different surgical functions, then comprehensive surgical capabilities are obtained, but surgical efficiency and time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument integrates multiple surgical functions into a single device: the jaw members can clamp and hold tissue, the reciprocating member provides cutting action, and electrodes deliver electrosurgical energy for sealing and hemostasis. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to switch between separate instruments for grasping, cutting, and sealing operations.
3Reliability
If sufficient clamping force is applied to prevent tissue leakage and withstand fluid pressure, then hemostasis is improved, but tissue damage and instrument complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism replaces complex multi-component actuation systems with a streamlined mechanical linkage. The cam profile is designed to convert rotational or linear motion into precise jaw closure, providing sufficient clamping force through mechanical advantage while minimizing the number of parts and simplifying the overall actuation system.
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 instrument provides enhanced precision and force for dissecting, cutting, and sealing tissues, minimizing leakage and ensuring hemostasis, while allowing for reduced instrument changes during procedures, thus improving surgical efficiency and outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
the second jaw member may be pivotable towards the first jaw member about a pivot point and comprising a cam pin positioned offset from the pivot point. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis through the first longitudinal slot and the second longitudinal slot. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The reciprocating member may define a cam slot for receiving the cam pin. Distal motion of the reciprocating member may exert a force on the cam pin such that the second jaw member pivots towards the first jaw member, and proximal motion of the reciprocating member exerts a force on the cam pin such that the second jaw member pivots away from the first jaw member.
Implementation Method 2
end effectors for creating energy-induced tissue welds. Various energy sources such as radio frequency (RF) sources, ultrasound sources and lasers have been developed to coagulate, seal or join together tissue volumes.
Implementation Method 3
A reciprocating cutting instrument (or knife) is drawn distally along the jaw members to transect the clamped tissue. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft may be coupled to the handle and may extend distally along a longitudinal axis. The end effector may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft and may comprise first and second jaw members and a reciprocating member. The first and second jaw members may define first and second longitudinal slots. One or both of the jaw members may be pivotable relative to the other about a pivot point. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the first and second longitudinal slots. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The instrument may comprise an overtube translatable distally to exert a force on a portions of the first and second jaw members tending to close the first and second jaw members.