Rotatable Electrocautery End Tool for Precise Cutting and Hemostasis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical instruments struggle to effectively manage bleeding during procedures by simultaneously cutting and coagulating tissues, particularly in highly vascularized areas, and lack intuitive motion control for precise surgical maneuvers.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument with a rotatable end tool and manipulation part that converts rotational motions into linear and actuation motions, featuring a power transmission system with jaw pulleys, blade wires, and a cutting-relay mechanism to perform cutting and cauterization efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If electrosurgical instruments are used to cut and coagulate tissues simultaneously, then bleeding is reduced during surgical procedures, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple electrodes and electrical energy sources

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebleedingVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines cutting and coagulation functions into a single bipolar electrosurgical instrument. The bipolar electrode system integrates both cutting capability (through controlled electrical energy delivery) and coagulation capability (through sustained electrical energy application) within one device, eliminating the need for separate monopolar instruments and reducing overall system complexity despite providing multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bipolar electrosurgical instrument is designed to perform multiple surgical tasks including cutting, coagulation, and tissue sealing. The electrode configuration and electrical energy delivery system are engineered to adapt between different surgical needs, making the instrument universally applicable for various soft tissue procedures while maintaining controlled bleeding management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If the end tool is made rotatable in two or more directions for intuitive motion control, then surgical precision is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to multiple rotation mechanisms and power transmission components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end tool is divided into multiple independently rotatable segments, each capable of rotation around specific axes. This segmentation allows precise control of the tool's orientation and positioning through controlled rotation of individual segments, enhancing surgical precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The end tool incorporates dynamic rotation capabilities in two or more directions, allowing real-time adjustment of the tool's orientation during surgical procedures. This dynamic adaptability enables surgeons to achieve precise positioning and intuitive motion control, with the rotation mechanisms designed to provide smooth, controlled movement essential for high-precision surgical tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a power transmission system with jaw pulleys and blade wires is implemented for multi-directional rotation, then motion control is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional transmission components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Jaw pulleys are introduced as intermediary components in the power transmission system. These pulleys serve as mediators between the actuation mechanisms and the rotatable end tool segments, enabling smooth transmission of rotational motion and force. The blade wires act as flexible power transmission elements that connect the pulleys to the rotating components, providing ease of operation through intuitive motion control while managing device complexity through efficient mechanical advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables precise cutting and hemostasis with reduced bleeding by allowing intuitive control over the end tool's motions, enhancing surgical precision and efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

a blade wire, at least a portion of which is in contact with the blade assembly, to transmit to the blade a driving force required to move the blade

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a first jaw pulley coupled to the first jaw and configured to be rotatable around a first rotation shaft, a second jaw pulley coupled to the second jaw and configured to be rotatable around a shaft that is substantially identical to or parallel to the first rotation shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley mechanism: Pulley

Implementation Method 3

a cutting lever configured to rotate around a rotation shaft, and opposite end portions of the blade wire are respectively connected to the cutting-manipulation portion and the blade, such that a rotational motion of the cutting-manipulation portion is converted into a linear motion of the blade through the blade wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever mechanism: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP4721685A1Instrument for electrocautery surgery
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 LIVSMED INC
  • EP4721685A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4721685A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4721685A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Provided is a surgical instrument, and more particularly, a surgical instrument for electrocautery with improved insulation performance, capable of being mounted on a robot arm or operated manually for use in laparoscopic surgery or various other surgeries.