Electrosurgical Handling Device Lever Insulation Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-surgical instruments with bipolar HF function are complex, costly to manufacture, and have weaker mechanical stability due to the need for insulation of current-conducting components within a small installation space, limiting the use of high operating voltages.
Innovation Solution
A handling device for electro-surgical instruments is designed with a joint mechanism and a lever extension made as an electrical insulator, decoupling the current transmission from the power transmission, allowing for higher maximum voltages and improved mechanical stability without the need for complex insulation or overmolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current-conducting components are insulated from each other within a small installation space, then electrical insulation is achieved, but the available wall thickness is reduced and voltage flashover risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device is divided into functionally independent segments: a mechanical joint mechanism for force transmission and a separate electrically conductive contact portion for current transmission. This segmentation allows the contact portion to be electrically isolated from the joint mechanism, eliminating the need for insulation within the compact structure and enabling higher operating voltages without increasing installation space.
2Reliability
If complex insulation structures are used to prevent voltage flashovers, then electrical safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically conductive contact portion is extracted as a separate functional element from the mechanical joint mechanism. This extraction eliminates the need for complex insulation structures, as the contact portion can be directly connected to the high-frequency generator while the joint mechanism remains electrically neutral, simplifying both design and manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact portion serves multiple functions: it acts as both the electrical conductor for high-frequency current transmission and the mechanical interface for tissue contact. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate insulation components, reducing device complexity while maintaining electrical safety.
3Volume of moving object
If the handling device is made compact for small installation space, then space utilization is improved, but mechanical stability and strength are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the handling device into a mechanical joint mechanism and a separate contact portion, the design allows the joint mechanism to be optimized for mechanical strength without being constrained by electrical insulation requirements. The contact portion can be made compact for space efficiency while maintaining sufficient mechanical integrity through its direct coupling to the joint mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A handling device for an electro-surgical instrument includes a joint mechanism which has at least one handling-side lever which can be moved for manipulation; a lever extension which is configured as an electrical insulator and is fixedly coupled to the lever; and an electrically conductive contact portion which is fixedly coupled to the lever extension. The electrically conductive contact portion is arranged on a side of the lever extension which can be subjected to force via the joint mechanism and is configured for electro-surgical contacting biological tissue. A method produces a handling device for an electro-surgical instrument and a corresponding electro-surgical instrument, in particular an endoscopic instrument.