Cordless Cauterization Device with Integrated Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical forceps for sealing and cutting tissue face challenges in effectively sealing larger vessels due to difficulties in controlling mechanical parameters like pressure and gap distance, leading to inconsistent and unreliable seals, and require bulky tabletop power supplies and cumbersome signal lines, limiting surgical efficiency and freedom.
Innovation Solution
A cordless, bipolar cauterization and cutting device with a passively articulating end effector and integrated power supply, allowing for one-handed operation and eliminating the need for external power sources, while providing precise control over tissue sealing and cutting through modular battery and radio-frequency signal generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrosurgical forceps are used with tabletop power supplies and external signal lines, then reliable electrosurgical energy delivery is achieved, but device portability and surgical freedom are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power supply, control circuitry, and electrosurgical forceps into a single integrated handheld device. The battery-powered generator is housed within the handle assembly, eliminating the need for external tabletop power supplies and signal lines, thereby providing both reliability of energy delivery and freedom of movement during surgery
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device serves multiple functions: it generates RF energy, delivers electrosurgical current through the jaw members, provides mechanical clamping force, and enables both cutting and sealing operations. This multi-functionality in a single handheld unit resolves the contradiction by maintaining full electrosurgical capability while eliminating external equipment requirements
2Reliability
If larger vessels are sealed with traditional electrosurgical forceps, then vessel sealing is attempted, but inconsistent seals occur due to difficulty in controlling pressure and gap distance
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a spring-loaded jaw mechanism that dynamically adjusts and maintains optimal clamping force during the sealing process. The spring ensures consistent pressure is applied to the tissue between the jaw members, compensating for variations in vessel size and thickness, thereby achieving reliable seals on larger vessels without requiring manual pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes sensors that monitor the electrical impedance and mechanical force during tissue sealing. This feedback allows the control circuitry to automatically adjust the RF energy delivery and maintain optimal clamping pressure, ensuring consistent seal quality across different vessel sizes without requiring manual intervention to control mechanical parameters
3Productivity
If cordless design with integrated power supply is implemented, then portability and surgical efficiency are improved, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a reusable handle assembly containing the battery and control electronics, and disposable jaw members. This segmentation allows the heavy integrated power supply to be contained in the handle while keeping the surgical tip lightweight, improving overall surgical efficiency without excessive weight at the operational end
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lightweight battery technology and miniaturized electronic components to reduce the weight of the integrated power supply. By advancing the parameters of power density and component miniaturization, the device achieves cordless operation with improved portability, balancing the weight increase from integration against the productivity gains from eliminated external equipment
4Object-affected harmful factors
If smaller cannulas are used for endoscopic access, then patient scarring and healing time are reduced, but instrument size constraints make vessel sealing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrosurgical forceps are designed with a compact structure that allows them to be inserted through small cannulas. The jaw members can be nested within the handle assembly when not in use, and the overall device profile is minimized to fit through 10mm or smaller cannulas while maintaining full vessel sealing functionality at the distal end
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a long, thin shaft design that extends the functional capability to the distal end of the instrument. By distributing the functional components along the length of the shaft and using flexible circuits for electrical connections, the device maintains adaptability for vessel sealing through small cannulas without compromising 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
The device enables reliable and consistent tissue sealing and cutting with improved surgical efficiency by providing precise control and eliminating the need for bulky power supplies, allowing for more complex tissue manipulation and reduced surgical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The surgical handle has a second selectively removable connector part operable to removably hold the first connector part thereto. The battery has a cordless radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly generating an output radio-frequency signal
Implementation Method 2
Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating the tissue and blood vessels to coagulate, cauterize and/or seal tissue
Implementation Method 3
a bipolar cautery and cutting end effector having jaws with bipolar contacts
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector assembly for a forceps includes jaws, a cutting assembly, and at least one cam assembly. At least one jaw is moveable relative to the other about a pivot between open and closed positions for grasping tissue. At least one jaw includes a control trough that extends therealong. The pivot has first and second pivot bosses defining a pivot hole therebetween. The cutting assembly includes a blade and blade control portion, and defines a longitudinal axis through the blade and the control portion. The control portion slidably translates through the pivot hole defined between the pivot bosses to allow selective advancement thereof through the trough. The blade is disposed distally of the pivot and extends farther from the axis than an outer surface of the control portion. The cam assembly is coupled to the moveable jaw and is actuatable to move the movable jaw between the positions.