Removable Electrosurgical Tip With Actuated Jaws

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrosurgical devices require frequent instrument changes and lack adjustability, leading to increased procedural time and risk due to their fixed tip designs, which are not adaptable to varying body cavity sizes or depths, necessitating additional instruments and hands for maneuvering.

Innovation Solution

A removable tip for electrosurgical tools with adjustable and extendable configurations, featuring moveable tip members and an actuator system that allows for varying positions and angles, enabling cutting, clamping, and cauterizing functions without the need for multiple instruments, and accommodating different body cavity dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed tip design is used in electrosurgical devices, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to varying body cavity sizes and depths is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to body cavity sizesVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tip members are designed to be moveable relative to each other, allowing the tip to change its configuration dynamically. The actuator system enables the tip members to move between retracted and extended positions, and to change angular orientation, providing adaptability to different body cavity sizes and depths while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a fixed tip design is used in electrosurgical devices, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the procedural time increases due to frequent instrument changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoiddevice manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrosurgical device incorporates multiple tip members that can be selectively positioned and oriented to perform different surgical functions. The actuator system allows a single device to replace multiple fixed instruments, enabling the surgeon to perform cutting, clamping, and cauterizing functions without changing instruments, thereby improving surgical efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional forceps or instruments are used to clamp tissue, then the clamping function is achieved, but the device complexity and number of instruments increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidnumber of instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges multiple functions into a single instrument by incorporating multiple tip members that can be positioned in different configurations. The tip members can work together to clamp tissue while one tip performs electrosurgical functions, eliminating the need for separate forceps and reducing the total number of instruments required during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If additional hands are used to maneuver instruments, then the maneuverability is improved, but the procedural risk and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidprocedural risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tip members are designed to move not only linearly between retracted and extended positions but also to change angular orientation. This multi-dimensional movement capability allows a single surgeon to maneuver the instrument effectively within the surgical field, improving ease of operation while reducing procedural risk by eliminating the need for additional hands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 adjustable removable tip enhances surgical efficiency by reducing instrument changes, improving maneuverability within body cavities, and allowing for precise tissue and vessel management, thereby minimizing procedural time and risk.

Implementation Method 1

electrosurgical devices use high-frequency electrical current to cut, coagulate, and cauterize tissue and vessels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

using an alternating current directly to heat tissue and thereby reduce blood loss

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh-frequency electrical current heating: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS11172979B2Removable tip for use with electrosurgical devices

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 AB SURGICAL SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of electrosurgical devices. In one embodiment a removable tip for use with an electrosurgical tool comprises a first tip member having a proximal end and a distal end; a second tip member having a proximal end and a distal end; an actuator coupled to the first tip member and the second tip member, the actuator for moving the first and second tip members between a closed position where the distal end of the first tip member and the distal end of the second tip member are proximate one another, and an open position where the distal end of the first tip member and the distal end of the second tip member are separated by a distance from one another; and an insertion member coupled with the proximal ends of the tip members for inserting the removable tip within an opening in the electrosurgical tool.