Electrosurgical Forceps With Thermal Cutting for Seamless Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps require separate mechanical and energy-based cutting methods, which can be inefficient and require additional steps for tissue severance after treatment.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical system with integrated thermal cutting elements that sequentially seal and cut tissue using electrosurgical energy, with modes for high and low temperature cutting, and includes sensors for tissue presence detection and display feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate mechanical and energy-based cutting methods are used, then tissue can be severed after treatment, but the process requires additional steps and is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sealing and cutting functions into a single electrosurgical forceps device. The forceps includes both sealing electrodes for energy-based tissue sealing and an integrated cutting element (mechanical knife or additional electrosurgical blade) that can cut tissue without requiring separate mechanical cutting steps. This integration allows sequential sealing and cutting operations to be performed with one device, improving workflow efficiency and reducing the number of steps required.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrosurgical forceps is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple operations: tissue grasping, electrosurgical sealing, and tissue cutting. The device incorporates both the sealing functionality (through electrosurgical electrodes) and cutting functionality (through an integrated cutting element), making it a universal tool that replaces the need for separate sealing and cutting instruments or steps.
2Productivity
If a mechanical knife is used to cut treated tissue, then tissue can be severed, but additional mechanical cutting steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs sealing action first, then immediately follows with cutting action using the integrated cutting element. The cutting element is prepared and positioned in advance within the forceps, ready to cut the tissue immediately after sealing is complete. This preliminary preparation and sequential execution eliminates delays between sealing and cutting operations.
3Ease of operation
If energy-based cutting element is used, then cutting can be performed without mechanical knife, but thermal energy control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The electrosurgical system controls thermal parameters (power, duration, temperature) of the cutting element to achieve effective tissue cutting while minimizing damage to surrounding structures. The system adjusts energy delivery parameters based on tissue feedback, ensuring optimal cutting performance with controlled thermal effects.
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
Facilitates seamless tissue sealing and cutting with enhanced precision and efficiency, reducing the need for additional mechanical cutting steps and providing real-time feedback for optimal operation.
Implementation Method 1
supplying electrosurgical energy to the first and second jaw members to seal the tissue present between the jaw members
Implementation Method 2
activating a thermal cutting element to supply thermal energy to cut the sealed tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating tissue includes determining whether tissue is present between first and second jaw members. In a case where it is determined that tissue is present between the first and second jaw members, the method further includes determining whether activation has been initiated. In a case where it is determined that activation has been initiated, the method further includes supplying electrosurgical energy to the first and second jaw members to seal the tissue and, if it is determined that sealing is complete: stopping the supply of electrosurgical energy; activating a thermal cutting element to supply thermal energy to cut the sealed present tissue; determining if thermal cutting is complete; and, in a case where it is determined that the thermal cutting is complete, stopping and the supply of thermal energy.