Surgical Clamping Unit Non-Uniform Heating Wire

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing grasping treatment instruments, the temperature distribution across the jaws with heating elements is uneven, leading to higher temperatures in the distal portion, which can cause thermal damage to unintended tissues due to inefficient heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

A grasping treatment unit with a heating wire extending from the proximal to the distal portion of the first jaw, where the calorific value per unit area is lower in the distal portion, ensuring even heat distribution and preventing excessive temperature rise on the jaw's back surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If uniform calorific values are provided in heating elements across the jaw, then the heating treatment can be applied consistently, but the temperature becomes higher in the distal portion causing thermal damage to unintended tissues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform heating treatmentVSAvoidthermal damage to unintended tissues
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating elements are designed with non-uniform calorific values where the distal portion has lower calorific value than the proximal portion. This local variation in heating property compensates for the longer heat transmission path in the distal portion, preventing excessive temperature accumulation and thermal damage to surrounding tissues while maintaining effective treatment at the target site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of moving object

If heating elements are positioned farther from the shaft in the distal portion, then the jaw can achieve greater opening width, but heat transmission to the shaft becomes more difficult causing temperature imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejaw opening widthVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heating elements incorporate local quality variation by adjusting calorific values along the jaw length. The distal portion, which is positioned farther from the shaft and experiences difficulty in heat transmission, is equipped with heating elements having lower calorific values. This creates a temperature-balanced distribution that maintains uniform jaw opening capability while preventing thermal imbalance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If higher calorific values are used in heating elements, then the treatment effectiveness increases, but the risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissues increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating powerVSAvoidthermal damage to surrounding tissues
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating elements are designed with spatially varying calorific values matched to the local treatment requirements and heat transmission characteristics. Areas requiring higher power receive相应 higher calorific values, while areas prone to heat accumulation receive lower calorific values. This localized optimization achieves effective treatment while minimizing thermal damage risk to surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates temperature detection sections that monitor the temperature distribution along the jaw. The calorific values of heating elements are adjusted based on feedback from temperature measurements, creating a closed-loop control system that dynamically balances treatment effectiveness with thermal safety, preventing overheating of surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This configuration effectively prevents thermal damage to tissues other than the target by ensuring proper heat transfer and temperature control, maintaining optimal treatment performance.

Implementation Method 1

a heating portion including a heating wire, the heating wire being disposed in a range from the proximal portion to the distal portion in the first jaw... and being configured to generate heat over an entire length from the first extending end to the second extending end when an electric current flows therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3189804B1Surgical clamping unit, surgical clamping tool, and surgical clamping system
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP3189804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3189804B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3189804B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A grasping treatment unit includes a first jaw, and a second jaw openable and closable relative to the first jaw. In the first jaw, a heating wire continues without branching from a first extending end to a second extending end, and generates heat over an entire length from the first extending end to the second extending end when an electric current flows therethrough. A heating portion is lower in calorific value per unit area in a distal portion than in a proximal portion in the first jaw in a state where the heat is generated from the heating wire.