Piezo Sensor Jaw Member for Electrosurgical Seal Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical instruments often rely solely on clamping pressure to achieve tissue sealing, failing to adequately control seal pressure and gap distance between electrodes, leading to insufficient tissue fusion across various tissue types.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of piezo electric sensors in the electrosurgical instrument's jaw members to measure seal pressure and adjust closure pressure via a controller, using a stainless steel sealing plate with an insulative flex circuit and conductive contacts, enabling precise control of sealing pressure through open or closed loop feedback mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If piezo electric sensors and feedback control mechanisms are added to the electrosurgical instrument, then sealing precision and tissue fusion quality are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using piezo electric sensors to detect tissue impedance changes during sealing and automatically adjusting electrosurgical energy delivery parameters. The controller receives sensor signals and modulates energy output in real-time to achieve precise sealing control, directly resolving the contradiction by enabling high precision sealing through closed-loop feedback while managing complexity through automated control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pressure control with automated piezo electric sensing and electronic control. Instead of relying on surgeon-applied clamping force, the system uses piezo sensors to detect tissue compression and electronically regulates energy delivery, substituting mechanical judgment with electronic measurement and control to achieve more precise and consistent sealing results.
2Manufacturing precision
If piezo electric sensors are integrated into the jaw members, then seal pressure control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the piezo electric sensors directly into the jaw member structure itself, combining the sealing surface and sensing function into a single integrated component. This integration eliminates separate sensor mounting steps and reduces assembly complexity, making the manufacturing process more straightforward despite the advanced functionality added.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw members are designed to serve multiple functions: providing mechanical clamping force, delivering electrosurgical energy, and sensing tissue impedance through integrated piezo electric sensors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture, easing manufacturing by consolidating functions into unified components.
3Reliability
If feedback control based on tissue impedance is implemented, then tissue sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by using piezo electric sensors to continuously monitor tissue impedance and automatically modifying electrosurgical energy delivery accordingly. The controller interprets impedance changes and autonomously regulates sealing parameters without external intervention, enabling the device to adapt to different tissue types and sealing stages, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
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 solution allows for more effective tissue sealing by accurately regulating seal pressure, enhancing the fusion of different tissue types, including larger structures like lung tissue, and enabling better control over the sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
one or more piezo electric sensors...for determining a seal pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly has a pair of opposing jaw members. One or more of the jaw members includes a support base, an electrical jaw lead, and a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead. The sealing plate has a stainless steel layer and one or more piezo electric sensors. The jaw member also includes an insulative plate disposed between the support base and the sealing plate.