Flexible Shaft Electrosurgical Forceps Jaw Robustness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical forceps for grasping biological tissue and delivering microwave energy to coagulate or seal tissues face challenges in maintaining robust jaw opening mechanisms and efficient energy delivery, particularly in minimally invasive surgical settings, where precision and flexibility are crucial.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a flexible shaft with a coaxial cable for microwave energy transmission, pivotably mounted jaws with flexible dielectric substrates acting as electrodes, and a handpiece that combines rotational and longitudinal control for precise jaw operation and energy delivery, ensuring secure tissue gripping and efficient energy emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid bracket and pivotably mounted jaws are used for robust jaw opening, then jaw opening robustness is improved, but mechanical stress on energy delivery structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible shaft with an instrument channel that can bend and adapt to surgical pathways, and flexible dielectric substrates within the energy delivery structure that can deform without compromising structural integrity or energy delivery performance
Solution Approach 2:
The energy delivery structure integrates rigid components (jaws for gripping) with flexible components (dielectric substrates and shaft), creating a composite structure that combines mechanical strength with flexibility to reduce stress concentration
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible shaft with coaxial cable is used for microwave energy transmission, then instrument maneuverability is improved, but energy delivery efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shaft maintains coaxial cable integrity while allowing bending and positioning, and the flexible dielectric substrates transmit microwave energy while deforming with the shaft's movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional rigid mechanical energy delivery structures with electromagnetic field-based microwave delivery through flexible dielectric substrates, reducing mechanical stress while maintaining energy delivery
3Ease of operation
If handpiece combines rotation control with power delivery and end effector actuation, then operational precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handpiece integrates multiple functions (rotation control, power delivery, jaw actuation) into a single integrated unit, allowing coordinated control of all functions through unified actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The handpiece is designed as a multi-functional device that performs rotation, power delivery, and end effector actuation simultaneously, reducing the need for separate control mechanisms
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 configuration enhances the robustness of jaw opening, reduces mechanical stress on energy delivery structures, and allows for precise control of microwave energy application, improving tissue sealing and cutting efficacy while maintaining instrument maneuverability in confined surgical spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a coaxial cable for conveying microwave energy disposed within the lumen of the flexible shaft
Implementation Method 2
the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to emit the microwave energy received by the energy delivery structure into the gap between the pair of jaws
Implementation Method 3
a flexible dielectric substrate having a first electrode and an second electrode formed thereon
Implementation Method 4
The RF energy may be used to seal vessel by thermal denaturation of extracellular matrix proteins (e.g. collagen) within the vessel wall
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical apparatus comprising an electrosurgical forceps instrument that combines la robust jaw opening mechanism with an a microwave energy delivery mechanism. The instrument includes a rigid bracket mounted at a distal end of a flexible shaft, wherein a pair of jaws are pivotably mounted on the rigid bracket. The instrument includes an energy delivery structure comprising a flexible dielectric substrate having a first electrode and an second electrode formed on one of the pair of jaws, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to emit microwave energy. The electrosurgical apparatus may also comprise a handpiece that combines rotation control of an electrosurgical instrument with both power delivery and end effector actuation (e.g. jaw closure, blade retraction or the like).