Plasma Blade Vessel Sealer for Precise Tissue Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps face challenges in efficiently and accurately separating and cutting treated tissue, as they often require multiple devices or modes of operation, leading to inefficiencies and potential inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a plasma blade within the jaw members of an electrosurgical instrument, which is independently activatable from the conductive tissue sealing plates, focuses electrical and thermal energy to an exposed edge for precise cutting, while insulative materials on either side of the blade direct energy to the cutting edge, allowing for efficient tissue separation and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mechanical knife is used to cut treated tissue, then the tissue can be severed, but the procedure requires multiple devices and steps reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tissue sealing function and tissue cutting function into a single electrosurgical instrument. The jaw members include both conductive sealing plates for bipolar sealing and a plasma blade for monopolar cutting, allowing both functions to be performed by one device rather than requiring separate instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrosurgical instrument is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both bipolar tissue sealing and monopolar tissue cutting. The plasma blade can be independently activated to provide cutting capability while the same instrument previously provided sealing capability, making the instrument universal for both tasks.
2Measurement precision
If electrosurgical energy is applied to cut tissue, then cutting can be achieved, but energy dispersion reduces precision and increases energy requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma blade is provided with insulative material on its sides, creating localized conductive paths only at the exposed cutting edge. This concentrates the electrosurgical energy precisely where cutting is needed rather than allowing energy to disperse across the entire blade surface, improving cutting precision and reducing overall energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulative material acts as an intermediary that directs and controls the flow of electrical energy. By placing insulative material on the sides of the plasma blade, the energy is channeled through the exposed cutting edge to the tissue, ensuring precise energy delivery and preventing energy loss to surrounding areas.
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 plasma blade design enhances tissue separation reliability and efficiency by directing energy to the cutting edge, reducing energy requirements and improving precision in cutting treated tissue.
Implementation Method 1
The plasma blade includes an insulative material on either side thereof configured to focus electrical and thermal energy to an exposed edge defined along a length of the plasma blade
Implementation Method 2
The plasma blade includes an insulative material on either side thereof configured to focus electrical and thermal energy to an exposed edge defined along a length of the plasma blade
Implementation Method 3
The plasma blade electrically connects to the energy source and is independently activatable from the electrically conductive tissue sealing plates
Implementation Method 4
The electrically conductive tissue sealing plates of the first and second jaw members are adapted to connect to opposite potentials of an electrosurgical energy source
Implementation Method 5
The electrically conductive tissue sealing plates of the first and second jaw members are adapted to connect to opposite potentials of an electrosurgical energy source
Implementation Method 6
an insulative member is disposed within the channel of the electrically conductive tissue sealing plate of the second jaw member in opposing vertical registration to the plasma blade
Data Source
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AI summary
An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members each including a jaw housing supporting a sealing plate disposed thereon and movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. The sealing plates adapted to connect to opposite potentials of an electrosurgical energy source and the sealing plate of the first jaw member having an open T-shaped configuration defining a channel along a length thereof. A plasma blade is disposed within the channel and extends to a distal end portion thereof, the plasma blade electrically connected to the energy source and independently activatable from the sealing plates. The plasma blade includes an insulative material on either side thereof configured to focus electrical and thermal energy to an exposed edge defined along a length of the plasma blade.