Electrosurgical Forceps with Swivel Nerve Probe
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps lack an integrated solution for nerve monitoring during surgical procedures, which can lead to potential nerve damage, especially in delicate ENT surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The electrosurgical forceps incorporate a nerve monitoring probe that is selectively positionable and automatically activatable when deployed, allowing for real-time nerve monitoring and ensuring functionality post-surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nerve monitoring probe is integrated into the electrosurgical forceps, then nerve monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the nerve monitoring probe directly into the electrosurgical forceps by operably associating the probe with the shaft members. This merging of functions allows the forceps to perform both tissue treatment and nerve monitoring simultaneously, improving reliability without requiring separate instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrosurgical forceps is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating a nerve monitoring probe that can be selectively positioned between an at-rest position (stowed within the shaft) and a deployed position (extended for nerve monitoring). This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions: tissue grasping, electrosurgical treatment, cutting, and nerve monitoring.
2Ease of operation
If the nerve monitoring probe is automatically activated when deployed, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nerve monitoring probe is automatically activated upon deployment to the working position, eliminating the need for separate activation steps. This preliminary action ensures the monitoring function is immediately available when the probe is extended, improving ease of operation while the automatic activation mechanism manages the complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe system is designed to self-activate when deployed, meaning the activation is triggered automatically by the probe's own positioning rather than requiring external manual activation. This self-service mechanism simplifies the user interface while the internal system manages the activation complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nerve monitoring probe is selectively movable between at-rest and deployed positions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nerve monitoring probe is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be selectively movable between an at-rest position (stowed within the shaft member) and a deployed position (extended at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis). This dynamic design provides adaptability for different surgical scenarios while the movable mechanism manages the structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe transitions from a one-dimensional stowed position within the shaft to a three-dimensional deployed position extending at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. This dimensional change allows the probe to access different spatial orientations for nerve monitoring while maintaining integration with the forceps structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof and configured to rotate about a pivot to move the jaw members between an open position and a closed position, the first and second shaft members defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. A nerve monitoring probe is operably associated with one of the shaft members and is selectively movable relative to the longitudinal axis between a first, at rest position wherein the nerve monitoring probe is aligned with the longitudinal axis and a second, deployed position wherein the nerve monitoring probe is positioned at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis for nerve monitoring.