Linear Trigger Forceps With Knife Lockout for Safe Tissue Severing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps require precise tissue severing after treatment, which can be challenging due to the need for accurate alignment and potential user safety issues with trigger mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The electrosurgical forceps incorporate a knife deployment mechanism with a trigger that moves along the longitudinal axis, coupled with a knife lockout and kickout mechanism, ensuring the knife is deployed only when the jaw members are sufficiently approximated, and featuring a low-profile trigger design to reduce pinching risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional trigger mechanism is used for knife deployment, then the surgeon can control tissue severing, but there is a risk of finger pinching and premature deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional rotating trigger mechanism and extracts only the essential function of knife deployment control. The trigger is reimagined as a simple linear button that pushes a plunger directly, eliminating the complex linkage and rotation mechanisms that created pinching hazards while preserving surgical control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a plunger as an intermediary component between the trigger button and the knife deployment mechanism. This plunger translates the simple linear push motion into the required knife release action, providing a safe intermediate step that prevents direct finger contact with moving parts while ensuring reliable knife deployment.
2Ease of operation
If the knife deployment mechanism is made accessible, then the surgeon can deploy the knife when needed, but premature deployment may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a lockout mechanism that must be disengaged before the knife can be deployed. This preliminary action ensures that the jaw members are properly closed and positioned before the knife becomes accessible, preventing premature deployment while maintaining ease of operation through a simple sequential process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the trigger button dynamically accessible only after the lockout condition is satisfied. The button transitions from an inaccessible or inactive state to an accessible active state, allowing the surgeon to deploy the knife only when the system is in the correct configuration, thereby preventing premature deployment.
3Ease of operation
If the trigger mechanism has a larger profile for better ergonomics, then the surgeon can operate it more comfortably, but the risk of pinching fingers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic rotating and linkage components from the trigger mechanism, leaving only a simple linear push button. This minimalistic design reduces the profile and eliminates pinching hazards while maintaining ergonomic operation through intuitive thumb or finger pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
A forceps includes first and second shafts each having a jaw disposed at a distal end thereof configured to rotate about a pivot to move the jaws between open and closed positions, the shafts defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. A knife deployment mechanism including a rack and pinion mechanism or a series of links is disposed within the first shaft and includes a trigger moveable along the longitudinal axis to deploy a knife between the jaws. A knife lockout is configured to move upon approximation of the first and second shafts between an engaged position preventing deployment of the knife and a disengaged position allowing deployment of the knife. A knife kickout mechanism is disposed within the first shaft in opposition to the second shaft and is configured to force the knife forward upon movement of the first and second shafts from an approximated position to a more open position.