Force-Balance Interface for Vessel-Sealing Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical instrument handles, particularly in vessel-sealing devices, often hinder optimal force application for effective tissue sealing due to design limitations that interfere with other instruments or the patient, and preloaded springs can result in excessive handle movement.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument with a handle assembly, shaft, and end-effector assembly featuring a powered force applicator that translates user-applied force into the jaw members, allowing precise control of energy intensity, frequency, and duration for effective tissue sealing, using a force-balance interface to amplify user input and maintain consistent pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If preloaded springs are used to apply force to the jaw members, then force application is simplified, but handle movement becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce applicationVSAvoidhandle movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring-based force application system with an electrosurgical system that uses electrical energy to generate and control force. The electrosurgical generator delivers controlled electrical energy through the jaw members to apply force to the tissue, eliminating the need for preloaded springs and reducing handle movement while maintaining effective force application for tissue sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the handle assembly is designed to fit limited hand sizes, then ease of operation is improved, but force application precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle accessibilityVSAvoidforce application precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical force control with an electrosurgical system that uses electrical energy to precisely control force application. The electrosurgical generator provides precise control over the energy delivered through the jaw members, enabling accurate force application regardless of handle size or surgeon's hand size, thus maintaining both accessibility and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the controlling parameter from mechanical handle displacement to electrical energy parameters (voltage, current, pulse duration). This allows precise control of force application through electrical parameters that can be accurately regulated by the electrosurgical generator, independent of the physical dimensions of the handle assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If mechanical clamping action is used alone, then device complexity is reduced, but tissue sealing effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical system simplicityVSAvoidtissue sealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges mechanical clamping action with electrosurgical energy delivery in a single integrated system. The jaw members provide both mechanical compression and electrical energy delivery simultaneously, combining the simplicity of mechanical operation with the effectiveness of electrosurgical sealing to achieve reliable tissue sealing while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise and effective tissue sealing by ensuring the correct relationship between force and energy application, reducing handle movement and interference, and maintaining consistent tissue pressure for enhanced surgical outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

The basic purpose of both monopolar and bipolar electrosurgery is to produce heat to achieve the desired tissue/clinical effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a force-balance interface configured to translate a multiple of the user-applied force exerted on the handle assembly into the end effector assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11712289B2Vessel-sealing device including force-balance interface and electrosurgical system including same

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, a reciprocatable drive rod slideably disposed at least partially within the shaft, and a force applicator coupled to the drive rod. The shaft includes first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof, at least one of which movable relative to the other from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The force applicator and the drive rod mechanically communicate to impart movement to at least one of the jaw members. The bipolar forceps includes a handle assembly and a force-balance interface. The force-balance interface configured to translate a multiple of the user-applied force exerted on the handle assembly into the jaw members.