Adapter for Electrosurgical Forceps with Clip-Applying Functionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments lack a seamless integration of electrosurgical forceps with clip-applying functionality, requiring separate tools for tissue treatment and fluid termination, which can complicate surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system comprising electrosurgical forceps with an adapter that includes jaw members and a surgical clip, where the adapter is configured to engage with the forceps to form a surgical clip by moving the jaw members from a spaced-apart to an approximated position, utilizing an interconnect band and chucks to flex and align the clip's legs, enabling simultaneous tissue treatment and fluid termination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate surgical instruments are used for tissue treatment and clip application, then each instrument can be optimized for its specific function, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex and requires multiple tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrosurgical forceps and surgical clip applier functions into a single integrated instrument. The adapter assembly includes jaw members that can both deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue and apply surgical clips, eliminating the need for separate instruments and reducing procedural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly is designed with multi-functionality, allowing the same jaw members to perform both tissue treatment via electrosurgical energy delivery and mechanical clip application. This universal design enables a single instrument to replace multiple specialized tools
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adapter is added to electrosurgical forceps to provide clip-applying functionality, then functional versatility is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly is designed to be nested within or attached to the existing electrosurgical forceps structure. The jaw members of the adapter are positioned within the forceps jaw members, creating a compact integrated structure that adds functionality without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component that bridges the electrosurgical forceps and surgical clips. It includes chucks that engage with the clips and jaw members that transmit force, providing a mechanical interface that enables clip application while maintaining compatibility with the existing forceps mechanism
3Ease of operation
If the jaw members are moved from spaced-apart to approximated position to form the surgical clip, then the clip formation function is achieved, but the mechanical force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly utilizes dynamic mechanical elements including a spring-loaded interconnect band that provides resilient force assistance during clip formation. As the jaw members move from spaced-apart to approximated position, the spring mechanism stores and releases energy to reduce the peak force required from the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnect band is designed with curved or flexing geometry that allows it to deform elastically during the jaw closure motion. This curved structure enables the band to act as a mechanical spring, providing force assistance and reducing the effort needed to compress the surgical clip
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 system allows for efficient and precise formation of surgical clips around tissue, effectively terminating fluid flow while treating tissue with electrosurgical energy, enhancing procedural efficiency and reducing the need for multiple instruments.
Implementation Method 1
The interconnect band is configured to flex from an at-rest position, corresponding to a further-spaced position of the jaw bodies, to a flexed position, corresponding to a closer-approximated position of the jaw members
Implementation Method 2
Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating tissue to treat, e.g., coagulate, cauterize, and/or seal, tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Adapters for use with surgical systems including a surgical forceps, and a surgical clip; and methods for providing clip-applying functionality are disclosed. The adapter is releasably engagable with the end effector assembly of the surgical forceps. The surgical clip is releasably engagable with the adapter. With the surgical clip engaged with the adapter and the adapter engaged with the end effector assembly, the jaw members of the end effector assembly are configured to move from the spaced-apart position towards the approximated position to move the jaw bodies of the adapter towards one another to, in turn, urge the legs of the surgical clip towards one another to form the surgical clip.