Pivotable Electrode Jaw Angle for Uniform Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bipolar electrosurgical forceps often fail to provide uniformly reproducible pressure and tissue thickness, leading to ineffective or non-uniform seals during electrosurgical procedures, particularly for larger vessels, due to variations in pressure and electrosurgical energy distribution.
Innovation Solution
The design includes pivotably connected jaw members with electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces that can be biased by resilient members to ensure parallel closure and maintain a uniform tissue thickness, along with insulating members to prevent shorting and control the gap distance between sealing surfaces, optimizing the application of electrosurgical energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bipolar forceps are used to seal larger vessels, then hemostasis can be achieved, but the pressure distribution is non-uniform resulting in varying tissue thickness and ineffective sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is made pivotable relative to the jaw member, allowing the electrode to dynamically adjust its orientation during jaw closure. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the electrode surface remains parallel to the opposing jaw surface, creating uniform pressure distribution and consistent tissue thickness across the sealing area, thereby resolving the reliability-issue of non-uniform sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the electrode by providing it with a wedge shape or by positioning it at an angle relative to the jaw member. This parameter change ensures that when the jaws close, the electrode surface becomes parallel to the opposing surface, achieving uniform pressure and tissue thickness for reliable sealing
2Force
If pressure is increased to seal larger vessels, then vessel walls are opposed effectively, but tissue impedance increases reducing electrosurgical energy transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable electrode mechanism provides automatic feedback adjustment: as the jaws close and tissue thickness varies, the electrode automatically pivots to maintain parallel alignment with the opposing jaw. This ensures optimal pressure distribution that is sufficient to oppose vessel walls while maintaining uniform tissue thickness for consistent electrosurgical energy transmission, resolving the contradiction between force and energy transmission
3Reliability
If the gap distance between electrodes is reduced for smaller vessels, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the risk of shorting between sealing surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating member is introduced as an intermediary element on the electrode surface. This insulating member prevents direct contact (shorting) between the opposing electropositive and electronegative sealing surfaces while maintaining the optimal gap distance for effective sealing. The insulating member allows the electrodes to be positioned close together for reliable sealing without the harmful effect of electrical shorting
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 configuration ensures a uniform tissue seal by maintaining consistent pressure and energy distribution, preventing tissue shredding or tearing and ensuring effective sealing of vessels within the optimal 0.001 to 0.006 inches thickness range.
Implementation Method 1
The electrode may be connected to the jaw member on a proximal end of the electrode via a resilient member to bias the at least one electrode against tissue disposed between the jaw members. In embodiments, the resilient member is a spring.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the jaw members includes an electrode having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface. An electrical energy source may be connected to the tissue sealing surfaces so that the sealing surfaces can conduct energy to tissue.
Data Source
AI summary
A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members having a proximal end and a distal end. The jaw members are moveable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an electrode having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface. An electrical energy source may be connected to the tissue sealing surfaces so that the sealing surfaces can conduct energy to tissue. Each electrode may be pivotably connected on a distal end to the respective jaw member to promote parallel closure of the sealing surfaces against tissue between the jaw members. Each electrode may be connected to its respective jaw member on a proximal end via a resilient member to bias the electrode against tissue disposed between the jaw members.