Offset Pivot Electrosurgical Vessel Sealer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrosurgical vessel sealers suffer from mechanical inefficiency and user hand fatigue due to unbalanced forces and a reduced field of view, primarily because of their scissor-style design and centrally located pivot, which leads to bulkiness and inefficient clamping.
Innovation Solution
The vessel sealer features an offset pivot mechanism where the first shaft has a tang offset from its longitudinal axis, pivotally coupled to a second shaft with a slot and oblique axes, allowing for a smaller pivot diameter and reduced bulkiness, enhancing ergonomic design and mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional scissor-style pivot design is used, then the device achieves basic clamping function, but mechanical efficiency is poor and user hand fatigue occurs due to unbalanced forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the pivot axis from the centerline of the device. The pivot axis is positioned at a distance from the centerline, creating an asymmetric configuration that balances the forces during clamping. This asymmetric pivot location allows the first and second shafts to have different lengths and configurations, optimizing the mechanical advantage and force distribution to eliminate user hand fatigue while maintaining effective clamping function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a large diameter pivot is used to provide mechanical stability and clearance for blade travel, then structural stability is improved, but the device becomes bulky and reduces the surgeon's field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by moving the pivot axis from a central location to an offset position, effectively utilizing spatial arrangement in another dimension. This dimensional repositioning allows the pivot to be smaller in diameter while maintaining mechanical stability through optimized force distribution. The offset configuration enables the blade travel slot to be positioned efficiently, providing adequate clearance without requiring a large pivot diameter, thereby reducing device bulkiness and improving the surgeon's field of view.
3Device complexity
If the pivot is located on the same plane as the clamping surface, then blade travel through the center is simplified, but a wide section is required around the pivot containing the slot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the pivot axis offset from the centerline and not on the same plane as the clamping surface. This asymmetric configuration allows the blade travel slot to be positioned optimally, providing necessary clearance while minimizing the surrounding area required. The offset pivot enables the slot to be arranged in a configuration that reduces the width of the section needed around the pivot, thereby reducing device bulkiness without complicating the blade travel path.
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
This design improves mechanical clamping efficiency, reduces user fatigue, and increases the surgeon's field of view by minimizing device bulkiness and enabling a smaller pivot diameter, while maintaining effective RF energy application for tissue sealing.
Implementation Method 1
The second shaft is pivotally coupled to the tang of the first shaft... A pivot pin extends through the pair of sidewalls of the second shaft and the tang of the first shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical device having a first shaft with a tang positioned along an intermediate portion to provide a pivot point that is offset from the longitudinal axis. A second shaft is pivotally coupled to the tang of the first shaft using a slot that accepts the tang of the first shaft. The second shaft is formed from three portions, each of which extends along a different longitudinal axis so that the jaws of the device will be closed when the second shaft abuts a stop of the first shaft.