Sequential Tissue Forceps with Differential Spring Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods require two medical professionals to close wounds effectively, as they need one for tissue approximation and another for fastener deployment, and existing wound closure devices face challenges in consistently managing variable tissue thickness, stretch, and strength across different body locations and patient types.
Innovation Solution
A sequential tissue forceps with a first arm, second arm, and central arm, where the arms are operably joined at an apex with different spring constants, allowing for sequential closure and grasping of tissue on opposed sides of a wound, enabling consistent presentation of the wound for closure by a surgical fastening apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single forceps is used to grasp both sides of tissue, then the number of operators required is reduced to one, but the ability to sequentially control grasping of each tissue side is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps is divided into a first arm and a second arm that can be independently controlled. Each arm has its own grasping tip and can close independently, allowing sequential grasping of tissue sides while maintaining single-operator control through a common trigger mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps incorporates dynamic control through independent spring-loaded arms with adjustable spring constants. The arms can transition between open and closed states independently, enabling sequential grasping action while returning to initial position automatically, providing dynamic control for precise tissue manipulation
2Strength
If the spring constant of the forceps arms is increased to improve tissue grasping force, then tissue retention is improved, but the force required by the operator to close the arms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded arms provide partial action by automatically returning to the open position after grasping tissue. The springs are pre-loaded to provide sufficient closing force for tissue grasping without requiring the operator to maintain continuous force, reducing operator fatigue while maintaining effective tissue retention
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps allows adjustment of spring constants to optimize the balance between grasping force and operator input force. By changing the spring parameter, the system adapts to different tissue types and thicknesses, providing sufficient grasping strength while keeping the required operator force within comfortable limits
3Adaptability or versatility
If the forceps arms are designed with high flexibility to adapt to varying tissue conditions, then adaptability is improved, but the precision of tissue presentation for fastening is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps tips are designed with localized gripping surfaces that provide precise contact points for tissue grasping. While the arms themselves are flexible to adapt to tissue contours, the tips maintain a fixed geometric relationship to ensure precise tissue presentation for fastening, combining adaptability with precision through local quality differentiation
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 a single operator to effectively approximate and close tissue wounds by sequentially grasping and retaining tissue, adapting to varying tissue conditions, and facilitating consistent presentation for closure, thus improving wound closure efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring constant with respect to the first arm and the central arm is different from a second spring constant with respect to the second arm and the central arm
Data Source
AI summary
A sequential surgical forceps is adapted to sequentially grasp tissue on opposed sides of a tissue interface and then present the tissue for capture and closure by a surgical fastening apparatus. The sequential tissue forceps comprises a first arm, a second arm and central arm wherein both the first arm and the second arm are sequentially closed with respect to the central arm. The first arm, second arm and central arm preferably comprise tips having a gripping structure to facilitate tissue capture and retention. The central arm includes structure that defines a mating interface to allow for selective positioning of the sequential tissue forceps and any captured tissue with respect to a surgical fastening apparatus. In this way, the tissue forceps is able to consistently manipulate and present wound tissue relative to the surgical fastening apparatus.