Segmented Electrode Tissue Sealing with Adaptive Blade Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical devices face challenges in managing tissue of varying thickness and types, leading to issues such as cutting blade jamming or inadequate sealing due to inappropriate energy application.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a jaw assembly featuring segmented electrodes and parameter monitors that measure tissue impedance, allowing for adjustable cutting blade speed and energy application based on tissue thickness and type, ensuring precise control during tissue sealing and transection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cutting blade is advanced through jaws to transect tissue, then tissue cutting is achieved, but the blade may jam when encountering tissue of varying thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade speed is dynamically adjusted based on real-time tissue thickness measurements. The controller modifies the blade advancement rate according to the specific thickness encountered in each zone, ensuring optimal cutting performance across varying tissue depths without causing blade jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through parameter monitors that continuously measure tissue characteristics and provide data to the controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to adjust cutting parameters in real-time, improving the reliability of blade operation through varying tissue conditions.
2Reliability
If electrical energy is applied to seal tissue, then hemostasis is achieved, but the seal may fail when tissue thickness is inappropriate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple segments along its length, with each segment capable of independent energy delivery. This segmentation allows different portions of the electrode to apply energy independently based on the local tissue thickness detected in each zone, ensuring appropriate sealing for varied tissue depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes energy delivery parameters including voltage, current, and pulse duration based on measured tissue thickness. The controller adjusts these parameters dynamically to match the specific tissue characteristics in each zone, ensuring reliable sealing across different tissue depths.
3Device complexity
If fixed energy parameters are used for tissue sealing, then device simplicity is maintained, but sealing fails for tissue of varying thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into multiple independent zones, and the control system is divided into corresponding control channels. This segmentation allows the system to manage complex adaptive energy delivery through multiple simpler, independently controlled segments rather than requiring a single complex control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple functions including tissue thickness measurement, parameter monitoring, adaptive energy delivery, and cutting blade control into a single multi-functional device. This universal approach allows the device to handle various tissue types and thicknesses while maintaining a unified control architecture.
4Ease of operation
If the cutting blade speed is constant, then device operation is simple, but the blade may jam on thicker tissue sections
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives real-time feedback from parameter monitors about tissue thickness and adjusts the cutting blade speed accordingly. This feedback mechanism maintains ease of operation through automatic control while ensuring reliable cutting performance across varying tissue depths without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting blade speed transitions from a constant value to a dynamic parameter that automatically adjusts based on tissue characteristics. This dynamic adjustment is managed by the controller which modifies blade speed in real-time, maintaining operational simplicity while improving cutting reliability.
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 device provides improved control and efficiency in cutting and sealing by tailoring the cutting speed and energy application to the specific tissue characteristics, reducing the risk of jamming and ensuring effective hemostasis.
Implementation Method 1
each parameter monitor being configured to measure a parameter that is commensurate to a thickness of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws
Implementation Method 2
each zone being configured to apply energy supplied by power from the driver to tissue disposed between the first and second jaws to seal the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for sealing and cutting tissue are provided in one exemplary embodiment, the device includes a proximal handle portion, an elongate shaft, and a jaw assembly having first and second jaws. At least one of the jaws includes an electrode that is segmented into a plurality of zones. Each zone includes a parameter monitor, and the parameter monitors provide information about the tissue that is then mapped to define one or more characteristics of the tissue. A controller can then be operated to adjust functionality of the device within each zone based on the mapped parameters/characteristics. Other devices and methods for sealing and cutting tissue are also provided.