Electrosurgical Forceps Knife Linkage for Controlled Tissue Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps require a separate mechanism to sever treated tissue, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, as they lack an integrated solution for precise tissue cutting after treatment.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a knife deployment mechanism with a lockout system that allows the knife to translate between retracted and extended positions within the forceps, enabling precise cutting of treated tissue, featuring a pivotable linkage and a cantilever arm for controlled deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separate mechanism is used to sever treated tissue, then the tissue cutting function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and surgical efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The knife is integrated into the forceps assembly, merging the tissue treatment function with the tissue severing function into a single device. The knife is positioned within the shaft members and deployed through a linkage mechanism that is part of the forceps structure, eliminating the need for separate cutting instruments and improving surgical workflow efficiency
2Ease of operation
If the knife is always extended, then tissue cutting is readily available, but the risk of accidental activation and tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The knife is pre-positioned within the shaft members in a retracted state, ready for deployment but not yet active. The lockout mechanism is pre-configured to prevent knife extension unless specific conditions are met (jaw closure), ensuring safety while maintaining readiness for use when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The lockout mechanism acts as an intermediary between the knife deployment system and the trigger mechanism. It mediates the activation process by blocking knife extension until the jaw members are properly closed, providing a safety intermediate state that prevents accidental activation while allowing controlled deployment when conditions are appropriate
3Device complexity
If the knife deployment mechanism is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision and control of knife translation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The knife deployment mechanism uses a dynamic linkage system with pivot members that allow controlled movement through defined arcs. The linkage translates trigger actuation into precise linear motion of the knife through geometric constraints, achieving accurate positioning without requiring complex control systems or multiple adjustment mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A knife configured for use with an electrosurgical forceps having curved jaw members and a method of manufacturing the same. The knife includes a distal body having an inner side and an outer side, a first etching on the outer side of the distal body defining a distal cutting edge and a second etching on the outer side of the distal body extending along a portion of a length of the distal body to define relatively protruded and relatively recessed surfaces extending along a portion of the length of the distal body on the outer side thereof.