Movable Return Lead Electrosurgical Tool Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bipolar electrosurgical devices for cutting tissue in laparoscopic surgery lack efficient mechanisms for precise tissue cutting and coagulation, particularly in terms of electrode configuration and movement, which can lead to suboptimal cutting efficiency and increased bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A tool assembly for electrosurgical devices featuring a movable return lead and a fixed active lead with a ceramic insulator, allowing for rotatable and translatable movement to facilitate efficient energy transmission and tissue cutting, utilizing materials like tungsten and stainless steel for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed electrode configuration is used in bipolar electrosurgical devices, then the device structure is simple, but the cutting efficiency and coagulation precision are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The return lead is made movable relative to the active lead, allowing dynamic adjustment of the electrode configuration during surgery. The return lead can translate along the longitudinal axis and rotate about a pivot point, enabling the surgeon to optimize the gap between electrodes for different tissue cutting and coagulation tasks, thereby improving cutting efficiency without requiring a completely complex fixed configuration
2Measurement precision
If the return lead is made movable to improve tissue contact, then the cutting precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return lead is divided into distinct functional segments: a neck portion extending along the longitudinal axis and an engaging portion offset from the axis. This segmentation allows the engaging portion to rotate independently about a pivot on the neck portion, enabling precise adjustment of the return lead's orientation and position relative to the active lead for optimal tissue contact, while keeping each segment's design relatively simple
3Use of energy by moving object
If specialized materials like tungsten and ceramic are used for leads and insulators, then energy transmission efficiency improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Specialized materials are applied locally where they provide the greatest benefit: tungsten is used for the active lead and return lead engaging portion at the tissue interface where high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength are critical for energy transmission; ceramic material is used for the insulator where electrical insulation properties are essential. This localized use of expensive materials optimizes energy transmission efficiency while controlling overall manufacturing cost by using these materials only where necessary
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 tool assembly enables precise and efficient cutting of tissue with reduced bleeding by ensuring effective energy transmission and contact, improving surgical outcomes through optimized electrode configuration and material selection.
Implementation Method 1
Upon activation, electrosurgical energy is transmitted from the active lead through tissue to the return lead to cut tissue in contact with the active lead
Data Source
AI summary
A tool assembly for use with an electrosurgical device for cutting tissue includes a base portion, an electrical insulator extending distally from the base portion, a return lead adapted to be electrically coupled to a return terminal, and an active lead adapted to be electrically coupled to an active terminal. The return lead is movably supported on the electrical insulator. The active lead is fixed to the electrical insulator. The return lead is rotatable about a pivot and translatable along a longitudinal axis relative to the electrical insulator and the active lead. Upon activation, electrosurgical energy is transmitted from the active lead through tissue to the return lead to cut tissue in contact with the active lead.