Electrosurgical Forceps With Interchangeable Electrode Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical forceps and tweezers have fixed sizes and characteristics, limiting their applicability to a finite number of procedures, necessitating the need for more universally useful devices.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device kit with interchangeable electrode heads and movable end pieces that can be rotated or pivoted to fit different procedural needs, allowing for various configurations and functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical forceps have fixed size and characteristics, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device can only be used in a limited number of applications
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical device is divided into separate functional components: a handle assembly and interchangeable tip assemblies. Each tip assembly can be detached and replaced with another type, allowing the same handle to perform multiple surgical functions. This segmentation enables versatility without requiring each specialized forceps to be a complete separate device.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of tip assemblies through a standardized coupling mechanism. This allows a single handle to perform gripping, cutting, coagulation, and other surgical functions by simply changing the tip assembly, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized surgical devices are used for different procedures, then each device is optimized for its specific application, but the number of devices required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal handle assembly that can be paired with various tip assemblies to create different functional configurations. This allows one handle to replace multiple specialized devices, reducing the total number of devices needed in the surgical suite while maintaining all necessary functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple tip assemblies are designed to be stored within or attached to the handle assembly when not in use. The handle serves as a storage repository for various tips, allowing surgeons to have multiple specialized functions available from a single device base, thereby reducing the number of separate devices required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If surgical devices have fixed characteristics, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the devices cannot be adapted to varying procedural needs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into standardized handle and tip components, each part can be manufactured independently using optimized processes. The standardized coupling interface requires precision manufacturing, but once established, allows for efficient assembly and reduces overall manufacturing complexity compared to producing multiple complete specialized devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical device kit includes an elongate first member, an elongate second member disposed adjacent to the first member, the second member being at least movably coupled to the first member, a first electrode head removably attachable to the first member, a second electrode head removably attachable to the first member, and a third electrode head coupled to the second member. The first, second, and third electrode heads are configured to apply a current to a tissue, the first and second electrode heads being non-identical.