Surgical Forceps with Translatable Cutting Jaw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical forceps require separate mechanisms for grasping, treating, and cutting tissue, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially after tissue treatment when precise cutting is needed.
Innovation Solution
A surgical forceps design with pivotable and translatable jaw members that include electrically conductive surfaces for tissue treatment and an integrated electrical cutting element, allowing for dynamic electrical cutting after treatment, enabling seamless tissue grasping, treatment, and cutting in a single instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mechanisms are used for grasping, treating, and cutting tissue, then each function can be performed independently, but the device complexity and operational efficiency deteriorate due to the need for multiple tools and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines grasping, treating, and cutting functions into a single integrated forceps instrument. The first and second jaw members are merged into one instrument body, with the cutting element integrated into the second jaw member. This allows all three functions to be performed by a single device rather than requiring separate instruments, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps instrument is designed with multi-functionality, where the same instrument can grasp tissue, treat tissue with electrical energy, and cut tissue. The jaw members and cutting element are configured to perform multiple functions sequentially or simultaneously, making the device universal rather than specialized for a single function.
2Reliability
If separate mechanisms are used for grasping, treating, and cutting tissue, then each function can be performed independently, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for multiple tools
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all functions into one instrument, the surgeon only needs to manipulate a single device throughout the procedure. The handle assembly provides unified control for both jaw closure and cutting element translation, eliminating the need to switch between multiple tools and simplifying the operational sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional design allows the surgeon to perform grasping, treatment, and cutting with one instrument, improving ease of operation by reducing tool changes and simplifying the surgical workflow while maintaining the ability to perform each function effectively.
3Productivity
If an integrated cutting element is added to the forceps, then the productivity and efficiency improve by reducing the need for additional tools, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting element is merged with the second jaw member, forming an integrated structure. The cutting element can be translated along with the jaw member through the same drive mechanism, eliminating the need for separate cutting tool instrumentation and reducing overall system complexity despite adding cutting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps becomes a universal instrument that can both treat and cut tissue, improving procedural efficiency by eliminating the need for additional cutting tools. The multi-functional design consolidates multiple operations into one device, enhancing productivity without requiring proportionally increased complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the second jaw member is made translatable to enable cutting, then the versatility improves by enabling dynamic electrical cutting, but the device complexity increases due to additional drive mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The translation mechanism for the second jaw member is merged with the existing drive system. The same drive assembly that controls jaw closure also controls the translation of the cutting element, combining multiple functions into a unified mechanical system rather than adding separate independent mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The second jaw member is designed to perform multiple functions: grasping tissue with the jaw and translating to enable cutting. This versatile design allows one component to fulfill multiple roles, increasing adaptability while minimizing the need for additional separate mechanisms.
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
Facilitates efficient and precise tissue treatment and cutting by integrating energy-based tissue division into the forceps, reducing the need for additional cutting tools and enhancing procedural efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to affect hemostasis by heating tissue and blood vessels to treat, e.g., cauterize, coagulate/desiccate, and/or seal, tissue
Implementation Method 2
the electrical cutting element is adapted to connect to a source of energy for conducting energy through tissue for dynamic electrical tissue cutting
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector assembly for a forceps includes first and second jaw members each having an opposed electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface. The first jaw member is pivotable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the opposed electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces. The second jaw member includes an electrical cutting element and is translatable relative to the first jaw member between a first position, wherein the opposed electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces are aligned with one another, and a second position, wherein the opposed electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces are longitudinally offset relative to one another. Upon translation of the second jaw member between the first and second positions, the electrical cutting element is translated at least partially along the opposed electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member.