End Effector Cutting Plate Integration for Tissue Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrosurgical procedures require additional steps for tissue separation after sealing, which are time-consuming and prone to imprecision due to misalignment of cutting instruments, and often encounter tissue debris obstruction in the knife channel, leading to complications.

Innovation Solution

An end effector assembly with opposing jaw members and electrically conductive or resistive cutting plates that integrate a cutting element within a longitudinal channel, allowing for simultaneous tissue sealing and precise cutting without the need for separate instrument alignment, and featuring insulative materials to prevent short-circuiting and debris obstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate knife instrument is used for tissue separation after sealing, then tissue cutting can be performed, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and prone to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting alignment precisionVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function and cutting function into a single integrated end effector assembly. The cutting element is positioned within the sealing jaws, allowing both sealing and cutting to be performed simultaneously or sequentially without removing the instrument, thereby eliminating time loss and ensuring precise alignment between sealing and cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end effector assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: sealing tissue through electrosurgical energy delivery and cutting tissue through the integrated cutting element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sealing and cutting instruments, reducing procedural time and ensuring consistent alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a knife channel is used for tissue cutting, then cutting can be performed, but tissue debris frequently obstructs the knife path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting operation smoothnessVSAvoidcutting reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cutting element from a enclosed knife channel and positions it within the sealing jaws where it can operate in an open space. This allows tissue debris to be easily removed or aspirated during or after cutting, preventing obstruction and ensuring reliable cutting operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If electrosurgical energy is applied for sealing, then hemostasis is achieved, but additional steps are required for tissue separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemostasis effectivenessVSAvoidprocedural steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sealing function and cutting function into a single integrated end effector assembly. The cutting element is positioned within the sealing jaws, allowing both sealing and cutting to be performed simultaneously or sequentially without removing the instrument, thereby eliminating time loss and ensuring precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 efficient and precise tissue separation directly after sealing, reducing procedural time and minimizing complications by integrating cutting functionality within the sealing mechanism and preventing debris obstruction.

Implementation Method 1

The first electrically conductive cutting plate is adapted to connect to a first potential of an electrosurgical energy source... to engage and electrosurgically sever tissue upon activation thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

A portion of the electrically conductive cutting plate of the first jaw member may be sandwiched between two layers of insulative material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS9113889B2Method of manufacturing an end effector assembly

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing an end effector assembly, the method comprising the steps of providing a pair of opposing first and second jaw members including a tissue contacting plate disposed thereon having a longitudinal channel defined therealong, providing a first electrically conductive cutting plate disposed on at least the first jaw member below the tissue contacting plate, stamping the first electrically conductive cutting plate to define a cutting element, bending the cutting element about a bending region such that the cutting element extends along the first electrically conductive cutting plate and into the longitudinal channel of the at least the first jaw member, and applying an insulative material to a portion of the first electrically conductive cutting plate.