Electrosurgical Forceps Tissue Location Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical forceps lack accurate methods to indicate the location and properties of grasped tissue, making it difficult for surgeons to determine the appropriate treatment and cutting techniques.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical system with an end effector assembly featuring movable jaw members equipped with sensors that provide tissue indications, displayed on an integrated or virtual display, indicating the location, size, and properties of the grasped tissue, allowing for precise tissue manipulation and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrosurgical forceps incorporate sensors and display systems to indicate tissue location and properties, then measurement precision and surgical precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw members are designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical clamping, electrical conduction for electrosurgical treatment, and housing sensors for tissue detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and justifies the increased complexity by consolidating multiple capabilities into a single instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is integrated into the handle assembly of the forceps, with the screen and control elements nested within the existing structural framework. The sensor array is embedded within the jaw members themselves, allowing the indication system to be contained within the compact forceps structure rather than requiring external equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If electrosurgical forceps incorporate sensors and display systems to indicate tissue location and properties, then surgical precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically detecting tissue properties through the sensors and generating appropriate visual indications without requiring manual adjustment or interpretation by the surgeon. The display automatically updates based on sensor feedback, reducing the cognitive load and manual effort required during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through the display, which continuously shows tissue location, size, and property information based on sensor data. This feedback loop allows the surgeon to make immediate adjustments without needing to mentally process raw sensor data, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving precision.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into jaw members for tissue detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is merged with the jaw member structure, with sensors embedded directly into the clamping surfaces. This integration combines the mechanical function of grasping with the sensing function, eliminating the need for separate sensor housings and reducing overall device complexity despite adding measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw members serve dual purposes: mechanical clamping of tissue and housing the sensor array for tissue detection. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by consolidating multiple capabilities into a single component rather than requiring separate devices for each function.
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
Enables surgeons to accurately determine the position and characteristics of the tissue, ensuring proper treatment and cutting, thereby improving surgical precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor includes at least one pressure-sensitive resistive panel, e.g., to sense pressure information
Implementation Method 2
the sensor includes an elastomeric contact sensor, e.g., to sense texture information
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical system includes an end effector assembly, a display, and a controller. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each defining a tissue-treating surface. At least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the tissue-treating surfaces thereof. At least one of the first or second jaw members includes a sensor. The controller is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor, generate a tissue indication based upon the sensor data, and output the tissue indication to the display. The display is configured to display the tissue indication. The tissue indication indicates a location along the first jaw member at which tissue is grasped between the tissue-treating surfaces of the first and second jaw members.