Stepped Jaw Vessel Sealer for High Pressure Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive medical procedures face challenges in delivering sufficient clamping pressure and torque with small diameter instruments due to strength limitations of actuation structures, particularly in bipolar vessel sealers, which require long jaws and high forces, leading to potential jaw weakness and deflection during sealing and other procedures.
Innovation Solution
The design of a bipolar vessel sealer with stepped jaws featuring a raised portion for sealing pressure application and a recessed portion for strength and shape, allowing for optimized sealing and clinical functionality without exceeding force or torque limits, enabling effective sealing of vessels and supporting additional procedures like blunt dissection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the jaw width is reduced to decrease the jaw face area and achieve desired clamping pressure, then the clamping pressure is improved, but the jaw strength is worsened causing potential deflection or bending
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw is designed with non-uniform thickness: a thinner sealing portion (0.5-1.5mm) at the distal end for optimal clamping pressure, and a thicker proximal portion (2-5mm) for structural strength. This local variation in geometry allows the jaw to simultaneously achieve high clamping pressure at the sealing surface while maintaining overall structural integrity to prevent deflection during vessel sealing and blunt dissection procedures
2Length of moving object
If the jaw length is increased to hold larger vessels without protruding edges, then the vessel size capability is improved, but the reaction torques and forces on the actuation structure are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw thickness parameter is varied along its length, with the distal sealing portion being thinner (0.5-1.5mm) and the proximal portion being thicker (2-5mm). This parameter change optimizes the balance between jaw length for vessel accommodation and structural strength to minimize reaction forces on the actuation mechanism
3Stress or pressure
If the jaw thickness is reduced to minimize the jaw face area, then the clamping pressure is improved, but the ability to support working forces during blunt dissection or grasping is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw features localized thickness variation with a thin distal sealing portion (0.5-1.5mm) for optimal clamping pressure and a thicker proximal portion (2-5mm) for structural support. This allows the instrument to reliably perform both vessel sealing and blunt dissection or grasping procedures without compromising strength in the thinner sealing region
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 stepped jaw design allows for effective vessel sealing without compromising the strength of the instrument, enabling reliable sealing of larger vessels and supporting various clinical functions while minimizing thermal spread and maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the raised portion to apply pressure to the tissue
Implementation Method 2
directing an electrical current through the vessel tissue to cauterize the vessel tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel sealer has a stepped jaw that allows the jaw to have an overall shape and a width that provides desired strength, shape, and functionality while permitting a smaller raised portion to apply the sealing pressure. The smaller area applying the sealing pressure allows an actuating mechanism to apply a clinically desired sealing pressure without exceeding the force or torque limitations of the actuating mechanism and can limit thermal spread during a sealing procedure.