Surgical Forceps Drive Assembly for Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical forceps lack the ability to precisely control pressure and energy application during tissue sealing and cutting, which is crucial for effective hemostasis and tissue division, especially when using energy-based treatments like light energy.
Innovation Solution
The design of a forceps with a drive assembly that includes a drive housing and a drive bar, allowing jaw members to move between spaced-apart and approximated positions, with a thermally-activatable material and spring mechanism to vary pressure, enabling precise control of energy application and tissue treatment by transitioning between different pressure states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical clamping action is used alone, then the structure is simple, but hemostasis and tissue sealing effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical clamping action with energy-based treatment (RF, ultrasonic, microwave, or light energy) into a single integrated forceps system. The jaw members simultaneously provide mechanical compression and energy delivery to achieve effective hemostasis and tissue sealing, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps are designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical grasping, clamping, energy-based coagulation, tissue sealing, and cutting. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple separate instruments, improving reliability while managing complexity through integration.
2Measurement precision
If constant pressure is applied during energy treatment, then the mechanism is simple, but energy absorption precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pressure control system where the jaw members can transition between different pressure states (first and second pressure levels) during energy treatment. This dynamic adjustment allows precise control of tissue compression and energy absorption, improving measurement precision while using a manageable mechanical mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter applied to tissue during energy treatment, transitioning between different pressure levels to optimize energy absorption. This parameter variation enables precise control of the treatment process without requiring overly complex mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If gap distance is not controlled, then the operation is simple, but tissue sealing precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the gap distance between jaw members during the surgical procedure. The system can transition between different gap configurations to achieve precise tissue sealing, maintaining both precision and operational flexibility.
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 design facilitates optimal absorption of energy by tissue for sealing and subsequent cutting, ensuring effective tissue treatment with precise control over pressure and energy delivery, enhancing the precision and efficiency of surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally-activatable material and spring mechanism to vary pressure, enabling precise control of energy application and tissue treatment by transitioning between different pressure states
Implementation Method 2
one or both of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of energy for treating tissue disposed between the jaw members
Data Source
AI summary
A forceps includes a drive assembly and an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The drive assembly includes a drive housing and a drive bar. The proximal end of the drive bar is coupled to the drive housing, while the distal end of the drive bar is coupled to at least one of the jaw members. The drive housing and the drive bar are selectively movable in conjunction with one another between a first position and a second position to move the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the first approximated position. The drive assembly is selectively activatable to move the drive bar independent of the drive housing from the second position to a third position to move the jaw members from the first approximated position to the second approximated position.