Compact Bipolar End Effectors for Vessel Sealing and Cutting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive surgical technologies, including robotic systems like the da Vinci® Surgical System, are limited by the need to remove and insert new surgical tools through access ports, are large and expensive, and have limited sensory and mobility capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Development of compact surgical end effectors, such as bipolar cautery devices with integrated cutting components, that can be used in robotic systems, allowing for precise vessel sealing and cutting within the body cavity without the need for tool exchange, featuring a device body with cautery and cutting component actuation motors, and a bipolar cautery component that rotates and cuts with minimal tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate surgical tools are used for vessel sealing and cutting, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and need for tool exchange increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines vessel sealing and cutting functions into a single integrated end effector device. The bipolar cautery component performs vessel sealing while an integrated cutting component performs cutting, eliminating the need for separate surgical tools and reducing tool exchange requirements during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple surgical tasks including vessel sealing, cutting, and potentially other surgical operations. This universal design allows a single device to replace multiple specialized tools, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Reliability
If robotic systems are made larger and more capable, then sensory and mobility capabilities are improved, but system size and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into modular components including the end effector, actuation motors, and control systems. This segmentation allows the robotic system to be built in a distributed manner, reducing the size of individual components while maintaining overall capability through coordinated operation of multiple modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector components are nested within the robotic arm structure, with actuators and mechanisms integrated into the robotic system's existing framework. This nesting approach minimizes additional space requirements while maximizing functional capabilities.
3Reliability
If minimally invasive procedures are performed, then patient recovery is improved, but access port size limits surgical tool capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple surgical functions are merged into a single end effector that can be inserted through a single access port. This combination of vessel sealing, cutting, and other surgical capabilities in one device allows minimally invasive access while maintaining comprehensive surgical functionality.
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
Enables precise and efficient vessel sealing and cutting within the body cavity, reducing the need for tool exchange and minimizing tissue damage, while being compact enough for use in robotic systems.
Implementation Method 1
applying an electrical current to the tissue via the mobile and stationary jaws, thereby cauterizing the tissue
Implementation Method 2
The device body has a cautery component actuation motor, a cutting component actuation motor, a jaw actuation motor
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices, and more specifically including end effectors that can be incorporated into such devices. Certain end effector embodiments include various vessel cautery devices that have rotational movement as well as cautery and cutting functions while maintaining a relatively compact structure. Other end effector embodiments include various end effector devices that have more than one end effector.