Electrocautery Electrodes with Incompressible Fluid Sac
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical electrocautery methods face inconsistencies in arterial sealing and tissue cauterization due to variable tissue thickness and composition, as rigid electrodes struggle to maintain consistent contact and deliver adequate force along long tissue spans.
Innovation Solution
The use of a plurality of springs positioned between jaws and electrodes, with an incompressible fluid-filled sac supporting the electrodes, allowing the electrode profile to conform to tissue variations while maintaining equal pressure along the tissue length, and incorporating varying electrode materials and conformal surfaces to optimize sealing and force delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid electrodes are used for electrocautery, then the electrode structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electrode contact with variable thickness tissue is inconsistent, leading to unreliable sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible electrode assembly that can conform to the variable thickness tissue being sealed. The electrode includes a compliant structure that adapts to tissue contours, ensuring consistent contact across the entire tissue length despite variations in thickness and composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes springs with varying compression forces along the electrode length to deliver different amounts of force to different regions. This parameter variation allows the electrode to maintain adequate contact pressure on thicker tissue regions while avoiding excessive force on thinner regions, achieving consistent sealing across variable tissue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If compressible material is used to conform to tissue, then the electrode can adapt to tissue thickness variations, but the compressed regions exert higher force than thinner regions, leading to inconsistent force delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible electrode structure conforms to tissue contours while maintaining uniform force distribution through its design. The compliance of the flexible material allows adaptation to tissue thickness variations without creating localized high-force regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces springs as an intermediary element between the electrode and tissue. These springs act as force-distributing elements that ensure consistent force delivery across variable tissue thickness by mechanically compensating for thickness variations.
3Reliability
If multiple electrodes with different sealing profiles are created, then the sealing effectiveness may be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode into multiple segments or regions, each capable of independent force delivery. This segmentation allows different portions of the electrode to be optimized for different tissue thickness regions while maintaining a unified electrode structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode design incorporates local variations in spring compression or electrode properties at specific locations along the electrode length. This local quality adjustment allows the electrode to deliver appropriate force to specific tissue regions without requiring multiple separate electrodes.
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 approach ensures consistent sealing and effective electrocautery along the entire tissue length, adapting to thickness variations and maintaining adequate force, even as tissue thickness changes during the cauterization process.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of springs is positioned between the jaws and at least one electrode
Implementation Method 2
An incompressible fluid may be used which is contained in a sac positioned to support the one or more electrodes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention provides a surgical electrocautery method and apparatus that achieves sealing along the entire tissue length, and that also is able to deliver adequate force to produce an effective electrocautery seal. This problem is solved by using an incompressible fluid contained in a sac or sacs positioned to support the one or more electrodes used for electrocauterization. The profile of the electrodes thus conforms to the tissue surface and thickness variations, while exerting an optimized pressure along the entire length of the surface.