Motor Driven Electrosurgical Device with Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as electrosurgical instruments, often require manual operation of moving components, which can be tiring and inefficient, especially during prolonged procedures or when dealing with dense tissue, and lack integration of motor-driven mechanisms to simplify the process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a motor or electrically powered device to drive movable components, such as the elongate member, within the electrosurgical device, allowing for reduced manual effort and enhanced usability, along with feedback mechanisms like tactile and visual feedback to assist the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of moving components is used, then device complexity is reduced, but surgeon fatigue increases and efficiency decreases during prolonged procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an electric motor system. The motor is coupled to the elongate member through a drive train, automatically advancing the member to advance the end effector along the shaft without requiring manual manipulation, thereby reducing surgeon fatigue while accepting increased device complexity through the addition of motorized components
2Productivity
If motor-driven mechanisms are integrated, then efficiency of tissue cutting and sealing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a motor and drive train system to automatically advance the elongate member and end effector, replacing manual mechanical operation. This motorized system improves productivity by enabling consistent, controlled advancement through dense tissue without surgeon fatigue, while the complexity increase is managed through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms including force sensors that detect tissue resistance and provide real-time feedback to the control system. This allows the motor to adjust its operation based on actual tissue conditions, improving cutting and sealing efficiency while maintaining controlled device complexity through intelligent control algorithms
3Loss of information
If feedback mechanisms are added, then user awareness of end effector position is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple feedback mechanisms including force sensors that measure tissue resistance, position encoders that track end effector location, and tactile feedback systems that provide haptic information to the surgeon. These feedback systems reduce information loss by providing real-time data about end effector position and tissue interaction forces, while the complexity is managed through integrated sensor systems and control algorithms
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrosurgical device comprises an end effector, a cutting member, and en electromechanical driver. The end effector comprises a pair of jaws that clamp tissue. The jaws include electrodes that deliver RF energy to clamped tissue. The cutting member cuts tissue clamped between the jaws. The electromechanical driver drives the cutting member. A control module commands the electromechanical driver, and regulates the delivery of RF energy to the electrodes, based on a combination of user input and feedback signals from the electrodes and from the electromechanical driver. The device may provide tactile feedback to the user through the user input feature, based on a load encountered by the cutting member. The device may alert the user when the exterior of end effector makes incidental contact with tissue, to avoid inadvertently burning the tissue. The device may include a removable battery pack to power the electromechanical driver and the electrodes.