Electrosurgical Jaw RF Tissue Verification Before Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments lack the ability to accurately identify and verify the presence of the correct tissue before applying therapeutic RF energy for sealing or cutting, potentially leading to improper tissue treatment.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical instrument that uses a non-therapeutic RF signal to test and analyze tissue, ensuring proper tissue capture, and switches to therapeutic energy mode for sealing or cauterizing only after verification, utilizing a control unit and circuitry for signal processing and impedance analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If therapeutic RF energy is applied directly to tissue, then sealing or cutting function is achieved, but risk of improper tissue treatment increases due to lack of verification
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument performs preliminary tissue verification using non-therapeutic RF signals before applying therapeutic energy. The control unit analyzes tissue impedance characteristics to confirm correct tissue capture and type, preventing improper treatment while maintaining a relatively simple instrument structure through integrated circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors tissue impedance during both verification and therapeutic phases, providing real-time feedback to adjust energy delivery. This feedback mechanism ensures safe and effective tissue sealing or cutting by adapting the therapeutic RF energy application based on measured tissue properties.
2Measurement precision
If non-therapeutic RF signal is used for tissue verification, then tissue identification accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument applies partial therapeutic energy in the form of low-power non-therapeutic RF signals for tissue verification purposes. This partial action provides sufficient impedance measurement data for accurate tissue identification while consuming minimal energy compared to full therapeutic energy delivery.
3Reliability
If tissue verification step is added before therapeutic energy application, then safety is improved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue verification process uses continuous non-therapeutic RF signal application rather than discrete testing steps. The control unit continuously monitors impedance characteristics during jaw closure and before therapeutic energy delivery, ensuring safety without requiring separate time-consuming verification steps.
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
Ensures accurate tissue identification and secure sealing or cutting by verifying the presence of the correct tissue type, preventing improper treatment and enhancing surgical precision.
Implementation Method 1
a variety of surgical instruments include a tissue cutting element and one or more elements that transmit radio frequency (RF) energy to tissue (e.g., to coagulate or seal the tissue)
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector, which includes first and second jaws pivotably coupled together. The first jaw includes a first electrode, and the second jaw includes a second electrode. The jaws may be used to clamp a portion of patient tissue and apply a non- therapeutic, or low voltage, radio frequency (RF) signal to the tissue. Based on the measured response of the current and voltage passing through the tissue, the apparatus can determine various characteristics of the clamped tissue, such as whether the tissue comprises body fluids, blood vessels, tendons, intestines, and/or fat. Once it is determined that the clamped tissue is the correct tissue type, the apparatus may then apply a therapeutic RF signal (e.g., a signal capable of sealing or cauterizing the tissue).