Surgical Forceps Shape Memory Cutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical procedures face challenges in managing larger blood vessels due to spatial constraints, often requiring conversion to open surgery, which compromises the benefits of minimally invasive techniques.
Innovation Solution
The development of surgical forceps with a shape memory cutting member that transitions between a retracted and extended state, allowing for tissue cutting, integrated with electrosurgical capabilities to seal tissue, enabling precise control and minimally invasive handling of larger vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard electrosurgical instruments are used to seal larger vessels, then vessel sealing capability is improved, but the ability to cut tissue is lost requiring separate cutting instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sealing and cutting functions into a single integrated instrument. The forceps includes electrosurgical sealing capabilities through heated jaw members and a deployable cutting member that extends between the jaws to cut tissue after sealing, eliminating the need for separate cutting instruments and reducing procedural steps
2Ease of operation
If endoscopic instruments with smaller cannulas are used, then patient benefit from less scarring and reduced healing time is improved, but the ability to manage larger blood vessels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting member is designed to be deployable rather than fixed, allowing it to extend between the jaw members only when needed for cutting. This dynamic configuration enables the instrument to maintain a compact profile for passage through small cannulas while providing full cutting capability when deployed, thus adapting to both minimally invasive requirements and larger vessel management needs
3Ease of operation
If the cutting member is always extended, then cutting capability is improved, but the instrument cannot pass through smaller cannulas
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting member is positioned within the structure of the forceps when retracted, nested within the jaw members or housing. This nesting arrangement allows the instrument to pass through small cannulas with a compact profile while enabling the cutting member to extend outward between the jaws when cutting is required, providing full functionality without compromising access
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 the effective sealing and cutting of larger vessels within endoscopic procedures, maintaining the benefits of minimally invasive surgery by using temperature-dependent shape memory alloys or bimetallic strips to extend and retract cutting members, facilitating precise tissue manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
The shape memory cutting member is formed partially, or entirely, from a Nitinol shape memory alloy. The shape memory cutting member is temperature dependent. More specifically, when the shape memory cutting member is heated from an at-rest temperature, the shape memory cutting member is transitioned from the retracted state to the extended state.
Implementation Method 2
The shape memory cutting member may be formed from a bimetallic strip of two different materials.
Implementation Method 3
Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating tissue and blood vessels to coagulate, cauterize and/or seal tissue.
Implementation Method 4
The shape memory cutting member(s) is extended between the jaw members to cut tissue disposed therebetween when transitioned to the extended state.
Data Source
AI summary
A forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto. The shaft has an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one shape memory cutting member is coupled to one of the jaw members. The shape memory cutting member(s) is transitionable between a retracted state and an extended state. In the extended state, the cutting member(s) extends between the jaw members to cut tissue disposed therebetween when the jaw members are in the approximated position.