Flexible PCB Energy Conveying Structure for Electrosurgical Forceps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps lack an efficient mechanism for delivering electromagnetic energy, particularly microwave and radiofrequency energy, to biological tissue for effective sealing and cutting while maintaining a compact design suitable for minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a flexible energy conveying structure, such as a flexible dielectric substrate with conductive tracks, into the jaw opening structure of electrosurgical forceps, allowing for efficient transfer of electromagnetic energy from a coaxial cable to electrodes, enabling both tissue sealing and cutting capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid energy conveying structure is used to transfer electromagnetic energy from coaxial cable to electrodes, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the device cannot accommodate jaw movement and maintains compact dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) as the energy conveying structure instead of a rigid connector. The FPCB can bend and deform to accommodate the opening and closing movements of the forceps jaws while maintaining electrical connectivity between the coaxial cable and electrodes. This flexible substrate with conductive traces solves the contradiction by providing both mechanical flexibility for jaw movement and electrical reliability for energy transfer.
2Length of moving object
If a compact jaw structure is designed for minimally invasive procedures, then ease of insertion is improved, but space for energy conveying components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board serves as a thin-film energy conveying structure that can be integrated into the compact jaw assembly. The FPCB's flexibility and thin profile allow it to be accommodated within the limited space of the miniaturized jaw structure while still providing reliable electromagnetic energy transfer from the coaxial cable to the electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the energy conveying function directly into the jaw structure by incorporating the FPCB as part of the jaw assembly. This merging of the energy transmission pathway with the mechanical jaw structure eliminates the need for separate rigid connectors and reduces overall device complexity despite the compact dimensions.
3Productivity
If impedance matching is optimized for efficient energy transfer, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves impedance matching by carefully controlling the geometric parameters of the conductive traces on the flexible printed circuit board, such as trace width, spacing, and length. By adjusting these dimensional parameters, the characteristic impedance of the FPCB can be matched to the coaxial cable and electrode interface, optimizing electromagnetic energy transfer for effective tissue sealing without requiring complex active impedance matching circuits.
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
This solution enables precise and efficient sealing of blood vessels and tissue cutting, even in minimally invasive procedures, by ensuring consistent energy delivery and impedance matching, while allowing for the use of both microwave and radiofrequency energies.
Implementation Method 1
an energy transfer element for conveying microwave energy from the coaxial cable to the first electrode and second electrode, and wherein the energy transfer element comprise a flexible dielectric substrate having a pair of conductive tracks formed thereon
Implementation Method 2
the pair of jaws may be arranged to grip biological tissue, e.g. a blood vessel, and apply microwave energy across the gap between the inner surface of the jaws to coagulate the tissue contained within the vessel
Implementation Method 3
to coagulate the tissue contained within the vessel, i.e. collagen, elastin, fat or blood or a combination of in the biological tissue and therefore seal the gripped vessel
Implementation Method 4
a vessel may be cut by creating two seals using microwave energy and then applying RF energy at a location between the two microwave seals to cut or part the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical forceps instrument in which an energy conveying structure for efficiently transferring electromagnetic energy (e.g. microwave energy and/or radiofrequency energy) from a coaxial cable to electrodes on the forceps jaws is incorporated into a compact jaw opening structure. The jaw opening structure may be dimensioned to be suitable for insertion down the instrument channel of a endoscope or other scoping device. Alternatively, the device may be configured as a laparoscopic device or be used in open procedures. The instrument may be used as a tool to perform new minimally invasive surgical techniques such as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endosurgery (NOTES) or the like.