Electrosurgical Pivot Pin Contact for High-Current Branch Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical instruments face challenges in establishing reliable and easy-to-clean electric connections between tissue contact surfaces that can handle currents up to 5 or 6 Ampere without compromising instrument handling or manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical instrument design featuring a support pin that forms part of the electric connection between conductors and tissue contact surfaces, with radially biased contact parts and an insulating intermediate layer, allowing for a reliable and easy-to-manufacture connection that maintains instrument functionality and ease of cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pivotable electric connection is established between branches to allow relative movement, then the instrument can be handled flexibly, but the connection must reliably carry high currents (1-6 Ampere) which increases complexity and reliability requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic electric connection through spring-loaded contact parts that maintain constant pressure against the support pin surface. This allows the connection to adapt to relative movements between branches while maintaining reliable electrical contact for high currents up to 6 Ampere
Solution Approach 2:
The support pin serves as an intermediary component that provides both mechanical pivot support and electrical conduction. The spring contact parts act as intermediaries between the movable branch and the support pin, ensuring continuous electrical connection during relative movement
2Reliability
If multiple components are used to establish electric connection (conductors, contact parts, support pin), then the connection can be reliable, but the number of parts increases making cleaning more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support pin function with electrical conduction, combining mechanical and electrical functions into a single component. The spring contact parts are integrated into the branch structure, reducing the number of separate components that need to be cleaned while maintaining reliable electrical connection
3Reliability
If conductors are routed through the pivot pin to connect branches, then electric connection is achieved, but the pivot pin structure becomes complex and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical conduction function from the pivot pin structure itself and implements it through separate spring contact parts that press against the support pin. This separates the mechanical pivot function from the electrical connection function, simplifying the pivot pin structure while maintaining reliable electrical connection
4Ease of manufacture
If the electric connection components are made accessible for cleaning, then cleaning ease is improved, but the structural integrity and electrical connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded contact parts provide dynamic adaptation that maintains constant pressure and reliable electrical connection even when accessible for cleaning. The elastic nature of the spring mechanism ensures structural integrity is maintained while allowing access for cleaning operations
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 provides a reliable electrical connection capable of handling high currents while ensuring safe handling and easy cleaning, simplifying the manufacturing process and maintaining instrument functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one contact part is biased radially against the circumferential surface of the support pin. In doing so, an electrically conductive rotation joint between the support pin and the at least one contact part is established
Implementation Method 2
each branch can have an electrically conductive core that is at least partly enclosed with an electrically insulating plastic material
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical instrument with first and second branches that are pivotably supported by a support pin is disclosed. The first branch has a first tissue contact surface and the second branch has a second tissue contact surface. The two tissue contact surfaces are electrically connected with an electric connection device at the first branch. The electric connection is at least partly established via a respective conductor. The second conductor is integrally formed by one single body. The second conductor has a contact section with at least one contact part in contact with an electrically conductive circumferential surface of the support pin, such that an electric rotation connection is established between the contact section and the support pin. In this manner the second conductor arranged in the first branch can establish an electric connection with the second branch via the support pin and further with the second tissue contact surface.