Electrosurgical Forceps Rotation Knob Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps face challenges in effectively sealing and cutting large tissue structures due to inadequate control over mechanical parameters such as pressure and gap distance between electrodes, leading to potential short circuits or incomplete seals.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a rotation knob assembly with electrically isolated inner and outer contact rings and springs, allowing for precise transmission of electrical energy and rotation of the elongated shaft assembly, enabling controlled pressure and gap distance for effective tissue sealing and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotation knob assembly with electrically isolated contact rings is used, then electrical energy transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact system is segmented into electrically isolated inner and outer contact rings, each handling separate electrical functions. This segmentation prevents electrical interference between different energy transmission paths while maintaining rotational capability, thereby improving reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire forceps system.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner contact ring is nested within the outer contact ring structure, with both rings sharing the same rotational space around the shaft assembly. This nested configuration allows multiple electrical contact points to coexist in a compact arrangement, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining electrical isolation between different energy transmission paths.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise control of pressure and gap distance is implemented, then tissue sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps design incorporates self-aligning mechanical features where the jaw members and electrode configuration automatically maintain optimal gap distance through their structural geometry. The system self-regulates pressure distribution and electrode spacing without requiring external control mechanisms, thereby achieving precise sealing parameters while minimizing added complexity.
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 configuration ensures consistent and reliable tissue sealing and cutting, maintaining the required pressure and gap distance for efficient sealing of large tissue structures while allowing for infinite rotation of the shaft assembly, enhancing the surgical procedure's efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The inner housing is coupled to the instrument housing and supports electrical contacts configured to transmit electrical energy through the rotation knob assembly
Implementation Method 2
The rotation knob is coupled to the shaft assembly and positioned to rotate about the inner housing to rotate the elongated shaft assembly relative to the instrument housing
Implementation Method 3
The jaw members may be approximated to apply a mechanical clamping force to the tissue, and are associated with at least one electrode to enable the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the tissue
Implementation Method 4
Instruments such as electrosurgical forceps are commonly used in open and endoscopic surgical procedures to coagulate, cauterize and seal tissue
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A forceps includes an instrument housing, an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the instrument housing, and a rotation knob assembly. The rotation knob assembly is supported in the instrument housing and includes a rotation knob and an inner housing. The rotation knob is coupled to the shaft assembly and positioned to rotate about the inner housing to rotate the elongated shaft assembly relative to the instrument housing. The inner housing is coupled to the instrument housing and supports electrical contacts configured to transmit electrical energy through the rotation knob assembly.