Floating Jaw Electrosurgical Instrument with Compressible Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrosurgical instruments face challenges in maintaining a consistent gap distance between electrode surfaces, leading to inadequate tissue sealing or welding due to manufacturing tolerances, which can result in tissue damage or short circuits.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating compressible members and a ceramic body with teeth in the end effector design to resiliently adjust and maintain an optimal gap distance between electrode surfaces, ensuring consistent tissue sealing and preventing short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid electrode surfaces are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to compensate for assembly variations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is designed with a floating mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the electrode surface position. The compressible member enables the electrode assembly to move relative to the jaw body, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamic adaptive system that can compensate for manufacturing and assembly variations while maintaining consistent gap distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible member changes the physical state from compressed to relaxed, enabling the electrode assembly to adjust its position. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to variations in jaw closure force and assembly tolerances, maintaining optimal electrode spacing despite manufacturing imperfections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If compliant features are added to compensate for manufacturing variations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is nested within the jaw structure, with the compressible member positioned between the electrode assembly and jaw body. This nested configuration allows the compliant feature to be integrated into the existing jaw design without adding external components, maintaining a compact and simple overall structure while providing adaptive compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible member acts as an intermediary element between the jaw body and electrode assembly. This single intermediate component absorbs manufacturing variations and assembly tolerances, simplifying the overall design by using one mediating element rather than multiple complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If precise gap distance control is implemented, then tissue sealing performance is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible member enables the electrode assembly to self-adjust to the optimal position automatically during jaw closure. The system self-regulates the gap distance based on the compression force applied, eliminating the need for complex pre-calibration or precision assembly procedures, thereby improving ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable tissue sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible member is pre-installed between the electrode assembly and jaw body during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the compliance mechanism is already in place before assembly, allowing the system to automatically compensate for variations during operation without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments or calibration procedures.
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 effectively neutralizes manufacturing variations, maintaining a desirable gap distance along the electrode surfaces, enhancing tissue sealing and welding performance while preventing tissue damage and short circuits.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compressible member interposed between the second electrode surface and the second jaw body, the at least one compressible member being configured to resiliently urge a proximal region of the second electrode surface toward a corresponding proximal region of the first electrode surface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector, which includes first and second jaws pivotably coupled together. The first jaw includes a first jaw body and a first electrode surface. The second jaw includes a second jaw body and an electrode assembly, which includes a distal end pivotably supported by the distal end of the second jaw body. The electrode assembly further includes a second electrode surface positioned to face the first electrode surface when the first and second jaws are placed in a closed configuration. The first and second electrode surfaces are operable to apply RF energy to tissue. The electrode assembly further includes at least one compressible member interposed between the second electrode surface and the second jaw body. The at least one compressible is being configured to urge a proximal region of the second electrode surface toward a corresponding region of the first electrode surface.