Elastic Counter-Bearing for Consistent Tissue Dissection Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instruments for grasping, coagulating, and dissecting biological tissue face challenges in achieving clean cuts and effective coagulation under varying tissue conditions, requiring balanced force application between coagulation and cutting electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The instrument features a cutting electrode carrier with a central wall-like projection and a counter-bearing made of elastic material with recesses or hollow chambers, allowing for a non-linear force/path characteristic, ensuring a consistent cutting force of 2-4 N and preventing fluid accumulation, which minimizes mechanical trauma to the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If great force is applied to grasp tissue between coagulation electrodes for good coagulation, then coagulation quality is improved, but mechanical trauma to tissue during cutting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument separates the coagulation function and cutting function into distinct electrode systems. The coagulation electrodes are positioned to apply force for grasping and coagulating tissue, while the cutting electrode is arranged separately to perform electrical dissection with minimal mechanical force, thus resolving the contradiction between effective coagulation and minimal mechanical trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the instrument apply different forces locally. The coagulation electrodes apply greater force to ensure effective tissue grasping and coagulation, while the cutting electrode operates with minimal force to avoid mechanical trauma. This localized differentiation of force application allows simultaneous optimization of both coagulation quality and tissue protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If varying amounts and thicknesses of tissue are grasped between branches, then adaptability to different tissue conditions is improved, but consistent cutting force and coagulation effectiveness become difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument employs dynamic force adjustment through the elastic counter-bearing mechanism. As tissue thickness and amount vary, the elastic material automatically adjusts the force distribution, maintaining consistent cutting force at the cutting electrode while ensuring adequate coagulation force at the coagulation electrodes. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between versatility and consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The force characteristics of the elastic counter-bearing are specifically designed to maintain optimal force parameters across varying tissue conditions. The elastic material's force-displacement relationship ensures that cutting force remains within the 1-2 N range regardless of tissue variations, while coagulation force remains sufficiently high, thus maintaining precision across diverse operating conditions.
3Ease of operation
If cutting electrode is arranged to project beyond coagulation electrodes for effective cutting, then cutting accessibility is improved, but risk of electrical short circuit and unintended tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
An electrically insulating material is introduced as an intermediary between the cutting electrode and the opposing branch. This insulating layer prevents electrical short circuits while allowing the cutting electrode to project beyond the coagulation electrodes for effective cutting. The intermediary material resolves the contradiction by enabling cutting accessibility while blocking harmful electrical contact.
4Manufacturing precision
If elastic counter-bearing provides consistent cutting force of 1-2 N, then cutting precision is improved, but force available for coagulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The force application is segmented into two independent systems: the elastic counter-bearing provides precise, limited force (1-2 N) specifically for the cutting electrode, while the coagulation electrodes utilize the remaining closing force for effective tissue grasping and coagulation. This force segmentation resolves the contradiction by allocating appropriate force levels to each function simultaneously.
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
This configuration allows for precise adjustment of cutting force, ensuring complete dissection with minimal tissue trauma and maximizing coagulation force, while maintaining a high current density on the cutting electrode without mechanical dissection.
Implementation Method 1
The oppositely located branch is provided with a groove for the accommodation of the cutting electrode. At the bottom of the groove, there is arranged an isolator of elastic material.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool (16) for the coagulation and dissection of biological tissue including a counter-bearing (35) that has at least one recess (37) open toward the outside and/or one or more hollow chambers (63). The recess (37) or the hollow chamber (63) is configured to provide a force/path elasticity characteristic curve with a plateau-like region II, V, during compression and reexpansion. The path section x in which the elasticity characteristic curve indicates the plateau II, IV preferably is as long as the tissue to be dissected is thick, and is, for example, in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 mm. As a result, the force exerted on the tissue during the cutting operation remains substantially constant in the effective work region.