Dynamic Bipolar Cutting in Electrosurgical Forceps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical forceps require additional steps for vessel severing after sealing, which can be time-consuming and imprecise due to reliance on user expertise and visualization for accurate separation along the sealing line.
Innovation Solution
An end effector assembly for electrosurgical forceps with static and dynamic bipolar cutting portions, allowing for simultaneous tissue sealing and cutting, utilizing electrically conductive and insulating elements to facilitate precise tissue division without re-grasping, through independent activation of sealing and cutting modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate instrument is used for vessel severing after sealing, then the sealing function is achieved, but the surgical procedure becomes time-consuming and imprecise due to additional steps and instrument replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sealing and cutting functions into a single electrosurgical instrument. The forceps includes both sealing electrodes for creating tissue seals and an integrated cutting blade for severing vessels, eliminating the need to switch between separate sealing and cutting instruments. This integration directly addresses the time loss and imprecision caused by instrument replacement while maintaining reliable sealing through the bipolar electrosurgical mechanism.
2Productivity
If a knife or blade member is added to seal and cut tissue in one instrument, then the surgical efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrosurgical forceps are designed with multi-functionality, incorporating sealing electrodes, a cutting blade, and insulation elements into a single instrument. The forceps can perform sealing, cutting, and dissecting functions without requiring separate instruments. This universal design improves surgical efficiency by consolidating multiple functions while managing complexity through integrated construction where the blade and insulation elements are incorporated into the existing forceps structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If direct visualization is required for manual regulation of closure force and gap distance, then the tissue seal quality can be controlled, but the operator dependency and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps incorporate pre-configured insulation elements and blade positioning that establish predetermined gap distances and closure forces. The insulation elements are positioned to automatically maintain appropriate spacing between the sealing electrodes and the cutting blade, eliminating the need for the operator to manually adjust these critical parameters during the procedure. This preliminary configuration ensures consistent tissue seal quality while reducing operator dependency and the learning curve.
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 efficient and precise sealing and cutting of tissues with reduced operator dependency, ensuring consistent and accurate tissue separation along the sealing line in a single surgical device.
Implementation Method 1
Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal
Implementation Method 2
electrical energy can be selectively transferred through the tissue... by controlling the intensity, frequency and duration of the electrosurgical energy applied between the electrodes and through the tissue
Implementation Method 3
The dynamic cutting portion is configured for electrically transecting tissue during movement relative to tissue grasped between the jaw members
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising: first and second jaw members each defining an opposed inwardly-facing surface and an outwardly-facing surface, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue between the inwardly-facing surfaces thereof, the end effector assembly characterized by: a dynamic electrosurgical cutting portion disposed on the outwardly-facing surface of one of the first or second jaw members, the dynamic electrosurgical cutting portion including first and second electrically-conductive cutting elements and a first insulating element positioned between the first and second electrically-conductive cutting elements, the first and second electrically-conductive cutting elements adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy at different potentials to enable the conduction of energy from one of the first or second electrically-conductive cutting elements, through tissue adjacent the dynamic electrosurgical cutting portion, to the other of the first or second electrically-conductive cutting elements to dynamically electrically transect tissue upon movement of the dynamic electrosurgical cutting portion relative to tissue with the dynamic electrosurgical cutting portion activated, wherein the first insulating element is configured to facilitate dynamic electrical transection of tissue.