Surgical Forceps Segmentation for Sterile Disposable End Effectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical forceps lack efficient and cost-effective solutions for reusable components that can perform multiple procedures while maintaining the functionality of single-use instruments, particularly in sealing and cutting tissues with precise electrosurgical energy control.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a forceps with moveable jaw members, a replaceable component featuring an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate and a knife assembly, along with an electrical connection system, allowing for both mechanical and electrical cutting modes, and enabling easy replacement of components to maintain sterility and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical forceps use single-use instruments, then sterility and functionality are ensured, but equipment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps is divided into two distinct segments: a reusable handle assembly and a disposable end effector assembly. The handle contains sterilizable components including the shaft, trigger mechanism, and electrical connection, while the end effector contains the jaw members, tissue sealing plates, and knife assembly. This segmentation allows the expensive handle to be reused after sterilization while the disposable end effector ensures sterility for each procedure, resolving the contradiction between cost and sterility assurance.
2Quantity of substance
If surgical forceps use reusable instruments, then equipment costs are reduced, but maintaining sterility and functionality becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the forceps into reusable and disposable portions, the system allows the handle assembly to be sterilized and reused multiple times, reducing equipment costs. The disposable end effector is discarded after single use, ensuring sterility is maintained without requiring complex sterilization processes for the entire instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector assembly is designed as a disposable, single-use component that is discarded after one procedure. This eliminates the need to sterilize the entire forceps instrument, ensuring sterility is guaranteed while allowing the expensive handle to be reused. The disposable nature of the end effector resolves the contradiction by providing assured sterility at minimal recurring cost.
3Quantity of substance
If surgical forceps incorporate replaceable components, then cost-effectiveness improves, but component replacement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps is segmented into a handle assembly and an end effector assembly that can be easily separated. The end effector attaches to the handle via a simple mechanical interface involving engagement features between the shaft and end effector housing, allowing quick replacement without complex tools or procedures. This segmentation enables cost-effective operation through component replacement while minimizing replacement complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is designed as a universal platform that can accept different end effector assemblies through standardized engagement features. This allows the same handle to be reused with various end effectors for different surgical procedures, improving cost-effectiveness while the standardized interface keeps replacement complexity low.
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 solution enables the forceps to efficiently seal and cut tissues with precise electrosurgical energy control, allowing for multiple uses while reducing equipment costs by enabling the reuse of sterilizable components and easy replacement of wearables, thus addressing the need for cost-effective and functional reusable surgical instruments.
Implementation Method 1
Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to affect hemostasis by heating tissue and blood vessels to coagulate and/or cauterize tissue
Implementation Method 2
An electrical connection member is provided. The electrical connection member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and is coupled to the jaw frame. The electrical connection member includes one or more electrical contacts for supplying electrosurgical energy to the tissue sealing plate
Data Source
AI summary
A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame including an engagement recess defined on each lateral side thereof and a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an outer jaw housing having an engagement tang disposed on each lateral side thereof. The engagement tangs are configured to engage the engagement recesses of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface.