Electrosurgical Colpotomy System with Rotating Knife

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current colpotomy procedures during hysterectomy lack efficient systems for accurately and effectively separating the uterus from the vagina, often requiring manual dexterity and multiple tools, which can lead to increased surgical time and tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

An electrosurgical colpotomy system comprising an energy source, an electrosurgical instrument with a shaft assembly and end effector, and a uterine manipulator with a rotatable knife assembly, allowing for precise tissue capture and cutting through electrical energy transmission and rotational cutting mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional manual colpotomy procedures are used with basic cutting tools, then the surgeon has flexibility in maneuvering, but the procedure requires increased manual dexterity and multiple tools leading to longer surgical time and potential tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical timeVSAvoidmultiple tools required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (cutting, coagulation, tissue capture, and manipulation) into a single integrated electrosurgical instrument with both a cutting electrode and a grasper electrode, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools and reducing surgical time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrosurgical instrument serves multiple purposes: it captures tissue with its grasper electrodes, cuts tissue with its cutting electrode, and provides coagulation through its bipolar or monopolar electrosurgical capabilities, making it a universal tool for colpotomy procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional cutting tools are used for colpotomy, then the procedure is simpler in terms of equipment, but tissue damage increases and precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical cutting tools with an electrosurgical system that uses electrical energy to cut and coagulate tissue simultaneously, providing precise cutting with minimal mechanical trauma and reduced bleeding that interferes with visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrosurgical instrument acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the tissue, using electrical energy as a mediator to achieve precise cutting and coagulation without direct mechanical contact that causes tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If manual dexterity is relied upon for colpotomy, then equipment complexity is reduced, but surgical accuracy and safety decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure safetyVSAvoidelectrosurgical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrosurgical system provides visual feedback through smokeless operation and potential integration with imaging systems, allowing the surgeon to monitor the cutting process in real-time and adjust accordingly, improving safety and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The electrosurgical instrument performs coagulation automatically during the cutting process through its bipolar or monopolar capabilities, eliminating the need for separate coagulation steps and reducing reliance on manual technique while improving hemostasis and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Facilitates a more precise and efficient colpotomy by enabling selective tissue capture and rotationally guided cutting, reducing surgical time and tissue damage while improving the overall procedure's accuracy and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The first treatment surface and the second treatment surface may be configured to conduct electrical energy from the energy source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

transmitting electrical energy to the head of the uterine manipulator and to the end effector of the electrosurgical instrument to treat the tissue captured between the end effector of the electrosurgical instrument and the head of the uterine manipulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11969203B2Colpotomy system with applied energy

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A colpotomy system includes a surgical instrument and a uterine manipulator. The surgical instrument has a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes an end effector supported on a distal end portion of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The uterine manipulator extends distally to a head supporting a knife that is positioned to cooperate with the first and second jaw members of the end effector.