Forceps Tissue Stops for Secure Anatomical Feature Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Forceps often fail to securely grip anatomical features when they are positioned too far proximally, leading to trauma, bleeding, or inadequate coagulation during electrosurgical procedures due to the lack of features that assist in precise positioning and prevention of pinching in the hinge or pivot mechanism.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating tissue stops on the forceps that extend from one jaw to the other, centered on a medial plane, to prevent anatomical features from being positioned too far proximally, ensuring proper alignment between gripping and conductive sections for secure gripping and coagulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If forceps are used without tissue stops, then the structure is simpler, but anatomical features may be positioned too far proximally causing trauma and inadequate gripping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure gripping of anatomical featureVSAvoidstructure of forceps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue stop is positioned in advance on the forceps to prevent the anatomical feature from being placed too far proximally between the jaws. This preliminary positioning constraint ensures that the anatomical feature is always within the correct gripping zone before the clamping action occurs, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue stop acts as an intermediary element between the jaws and the anatomical feature. It provides a physical barrier that guides the anatomical feature into the correct position relative to the gripping surfaces, mediating the interaction between the surgeon's manipulation and the forceps' gripping mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If tissue stops are added to forceps, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precision of anatomical featureVSAvoidstructure of forceps

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The forceps structure is segmented by adding the tissue stop as a distinct component that can be independently positioned on either jaw. This segmentation allows the tissue stop to be optimized for its specific positioning function without redesigning the entire forceps mechanism, maintaining simplicity while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue stop provides localized quality enhancement at the specific region where positioning precision is needed - the proximal end of the gripping section. Rather than making the entire forceps more complex, the local addition of the tissue stop precisely where needed improves positioning without affecting other functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If anatomical feature is positioned too far proximally, then the procedure is faster, but trauma and bleeding occur due to inadequate coagulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure efficiencyVSAvoidtrauma and bleeding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue stop provides preliminary anti-action by preventing the anatomical feature from being positioned in the harmful proximal region beyond the gripping section. This preemptive constraint eliminates the need for corrective actions during the procedure, maintaining both speed and safety by preventing trauma before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

The tissue stops reduce the risk of anatomical features being pinched or inadequately coagulated, allowing for more efficient and secure positioning, thereby minimizing trauma and bleeding, and ensuring complete coagulation during procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The first tissue stop is adapted to block an anatomical feature from extending beyond a proximal end of the gripping section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier/blocking: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

The first jaw is electrically conductive, the second jaw is electrically conductive, or both the first jaw and the second jaw are electrically conductive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

a vessel or tissue can be sealed or coagulated with an electrosurgical therapy current that is passed from or between one or both of the jaws

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrosurgical coagulation: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS12016733B2Forceps with tissue stops

Publication Date: 2024.06.25 GYRUS ACMI INC

AI summary

An instrument that includes forceps. The forceps include a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a gripping section, and the second jaw includes a gripping section. The jaw assembly is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw is electrically conductive, the second jaw is electrically conductive, or both the first jaw and the second jaw are electrically conductive. The first jaw includes a first tissue stop that is centered on a medial plane of the first jaw. The tissue stop extends from the first jaw towards the second jaw. The first tissue stop is adapted to block an anatomical feature from extending beyond a proximal end of the gripping section of the first jaw, a proximal end of the gripping section of the second jaw, or both.