Electrosurgical Forceps with Articulating Shaft and Integrated Dissector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical instruments face challenges in efficiently dissecting tissue after treatment due to high manufacturing costs of knife blades and limited flexibility in ultrasonic instruments, which restrict their surgical applications.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical forceps with a pair of jaw members operable in two bipolar modes, one for treating tissue and another for separating tissue, incorporating a dissector that translates through the jaw members to facilitate precise dissection without the need for a separate knife blade, and an articulating shaft for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a knife blade is incorporated into the electrosurgical instrument for tissue dissection, then tissue dissection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to expensive surgical steel and complex machining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical knife blade system with an electrosurgical dissector that uses electrical energy to dissect tissue. The dissector element delivers electrosurgical energy through the jaw member to cut and separate tissue, eliminating the need for expensive surgical steel knife blades and their associated machining processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw member is designed to perform multiple functions: it can clamp tissue mechanically, deliver electrosurgical energy for sealing and coagulation, and deliver electrosurgical energy for dissection through the integrated dissector element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate knife blade components.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a transducer and waveguide are disposed within the shaft of an ultrasonic instrument, then tissue treatment capability is improved, but flexibility and articulation are limited or eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid ultrasonic transducer and waveguide system with an electrosurgical instrument that delivers electrical energy through a flexible shaft. The electrosurgical dissector can be advanced through the flexible shaft to treat tissue, allowing the instrument to articulate and flex to reach difficult surgical locations while maintaining tissue treatment capability.
3Reliability
If the jaw members are configured for mechanical clamping and electrosurgical treatment, then hemostasis is improved, but tissue dissection efficiency decreases due to need for separate knife blade
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw member is designed to perform multiple functions: it can clamp tissue mechanically, deliver electrosurgical energy for sealing and coagulation, and deliver electrosurgical energy for dissection through the integrated dissector element. This multi-functionality allows the surgeon to perform treatment and dissection with the same instrument, improving workflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the treatment function and dissection function into a single integrated instrument system. The electrosurgical dissector is advanced through the jaw member, allowing the surgeon to seal vessels and then immediately dissect tissue in the same surgical field without changing instruments.
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for expensive knife blades and enhances surgical flexibility, allowing for effective tissue dissection and treatment in various surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the electrosurgical forceps utilizes both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating the tissue and blood vessels to coagulate, cauterize, seal, desiccate, and/or fulgurate tissue
Implementation Method 2
A dissector translatable through one or both of the first and second jaw members is in electrical communication with one of the seal plates of the first and second jaw members and activatable in the second bipolar mode of operation for separating tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector assembly is provided. The end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members including respective seal plates adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first and second jaw members operable in a first bipolar mode of operation for treating tissue and a second bipolar mode of operation for separating tissue. A dissector translatable through one of the first and second jaw members is in electrical communication with one of the seal plates of the first and second jaw members and activatable in the second bipolar mode of operation for separating tissue when the first and second jaw members are in one of the open and clamping position and tissue is adjacent thereto.