Clad Copper Heat Sink for Electrosurgical Sealing Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical sealing plates do not distribute heat evenly, leading to longer sealing procedures, lower quality seals, and heat accumulation, resulting in higher than desired temperatures during subsequent energy applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a clad copper heat sink layer on the underside of the stainless steel sealing plate, which improves heat distribution and dissipation, reducing hot spots and allowing for more precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a traditional sealing plate is used, then the structure is simple, but heat is not distributed evenly leading to hot zones and heat accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plate is constructed as a composite structure with a stainless steel layer providing structural integrity and a clad copper layer providing superior thermal conductivity. This composite material approach enables even heat distribution across the sealing plate surface while maintaining structural strength, directly resolving the contradiction between temperature uniformity and structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If energy is applied continuously to the sealing plate, then sealing speed increases, but heat accumulates resulting in higher than desired temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The copper layer, which has high thermal conductivity, is used to convert the harmful heat accumulation into beneficial even heat distribution. The copper rapidly conducts heat away from high-density areas and distributes it across the entire sealing plate surface, allowing continuous energy application at higher speeds without temperature buildup, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing speed and heat accumulation.
3Productivity
If the sealing plate heats up quickly, then sealing efficiency improves, but tissue charring occurs due to localized overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plate employs local quality differentiation through its layered structure: the stainless steel layer provides structural properties while the copper layer provides thermal conductivity. This localized functional differentiation ensures that heat is rapidly distributed to all areas of the sealing plate, preventing localized overheating and tissue charring while maintaining overall sealing efficiency.
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 copper heat sink layer enables faster and more even heat distribution, reducing tissue charring and achieving a faster seal with improved temperature control, preventing heat accumulation and ensuring a more precise sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
a clad copper heat sink layer on the underside of the stainless steel layer
Implementation Method 2
a clad copper heat sink layer on the underside of the stainless steel layer
Implementation Method 3
coupled to the copper layer with an ultrasonic weld
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly has a pair of opposing jaw members. At least one of the jaw members has a support base and a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead. The sealing plate has a stainless steel layer and a copper layer formed on the underside of the stainless steel layer.