Surgical Forceps Jaw Optical Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps face challenges in accurately controlling pressure and gap distance between electrodes during tissue sealing, which can lead to short circuits or inadequate tissue sealing, particularly in large vessels.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of optical fibers with Bragg gratings within the jaw members of the forceps to provide real-time feedback on temperature and strain, allowing for precise control of the sealing process through a controller that determines and adjusts these parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical fibers with Bragg gratings are incorporated to provide real-time feedback on temperature and strain, then measurement precision and control accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates optical fibers with Bragg gratings that provide real-time feedback on temperature and strain conditions during tissue sealing. The controller receives signals from these optical sensors and adjusts electrosurgical energy delivery accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves measurement precision and control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electrical sensors with optical fiber-based Bragg grating sensors. These optical sensors measure temperature and strain through changes in reflected light wavelength, substituting complex mechanical sensing systems with a more compact and reliable optical measurement system.
2Reliability
If real-time temperature and strain monitoring is implemented, then reliability of tissue sealing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber sensors continuously monitor temperature and strain in real-time during the sealing process. The controller uses this feedback information to detect when adequate sealing conditions are met or when adjustments are needed, thereby improving the reliability of tissue sealing through adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment by using the temperature and strain data from the optical sensors to automatically regulate electrosurgical energy delivery, eliminating the need for external monitoring equipment and manual adjustment.
3Manufacturing precision
If pressure and gap distance control are enhanced through optical sensing, then manufacturing precision of tissue seal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical Bragg grating sensors to measure strain and pressure conditions during tissue sealing, replacing traditional mechanical measurement systems. This optical measurement approach provides more precise and reliable data for controlling the sealing process, improving the precision of tissue seal thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts electrosurgical energy delivery parameters based on real-time optical sensor readings of temperature and strain. By changing energy parameters in response to measured conditions, the system achieves precise control over tissue seal formation while maintaining adaptability to varying tissue properties.
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 accurate and consistent tissue sealing by ensuring appropriate pressure and gap distance, preventing short circuits and ensuring effective vessel closure within the desired thickness range, thereby enhancing the reliability of electrosurgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first and second optical fibers includes at least one Bragg grating
Implementation Method 2
A first optical fiber is disposed within the first jaw member and is configured to provide a first signal, and a second optical fiber is disposed within the first jaw member and is configured to provide a second signal
Implementation Method 3
A controller is coupled to the first and second fibers and is configured to determine the temperature and the strain of the first jaw member as a function of the first and second signals, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes an end effector including first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between a first, spaced-apart position and a second position proximate tissue. In the second position, the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. A first optical fiber is disposed within the first jaw member and is configured to provide a first signal, and a second optical fiber is disposed within the first jaw member and is configured to provide a second signal. A controller is coupled to the first and second fibers and is configured to determine the temperature and the strain of the first jaw member as a function of the first and second signals, respectively.