Forceps with Active Jaw Entrapment for Tissue Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forceps used in laparoscopic surgery often damage tissue due to slippage or scissoring issues when attempting to grip it, as they lack effective mechanisms to securely hold tissue without causing injury.
Innovation Solution
A forceps design featuring an end effector assembly with a moveable third jaw and a closing mechanism that translates along a stationary jaw, creating a capture zone that pinches tissue and includes electrosurgical capabilities to coagulate or cut tissue, utilizing an eccentric cam or push rod mechanism for precise tissue grasping and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional forceps with simple jaw structures are used to grip tissue, then the device complexity is low, but the tissue may slip out or be damaged due to inadequate entrapment mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps jaw is divided into multiple independent gripping surfaces (first jaw, second jaw, third jaw) that can move relative to each other. Each jaw can be actuated independently to create multiple planes of tissue entrapment, preventing slippage while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a third jaw that moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of the first and second jaws. This creates three-dimensional tissue entrapment from multiple angles, significantly improving grip reliability by preventing tissue escape in any direction
2Force
If parallel closure jaws with teeth are used to grip tissue, then the gripping force is increased, but scissoring can occur between the teeth which cuts tissue
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on a single pair of jaws with teeth, the invention segments the gripping function across three jaws with multiple gripping surfaces. This distributes the gripping force across multiple contact points, reducing the risk of concentrated stress causing tissue cutting while maintaining adequate gripping force
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than having jaws close in a single parallel direction that risks scissoring, the invention uses jaws that close in multiple directions from different angles. The third jaw closes perpendicular to the first two, creating a pincer-like entrapment that secures tissue without the scissoring effect
3Reliability
If articulation components with two plates are used to trap tissue, then the tissue entrapment is improved, but tissue may slip out in the direction where less pressure is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation component is segmented into three separate jaws (first, second, and third jaws) instead of two plates. Each jaw can be independently actuated to apply pressure from different directions, creating comprehensive tissue entrapment that prevents slippage in any direction while maintaining manageable complexity through modular construction
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 forceps effectively grip and secure tissue without causing damage, preventing slippage and scissoring, while allowing for precise electrosurgical procedures like coagulation or cutting.
Implementation Method 1
the electrode being connected to a source of electrosurgical energy, the source generating electrosurgical energy to coagulate tissue grasped between at least two of the first jaw, the second jaw and the third jaw
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw, at least one of which is moveable between an open positon and a closed position, a third jaw that is carried on and translates along the first jaw, and a third jaw closing mechanism that brings the third jaw into a position approximating the first jaw.