Surgical Device with Retractable Conductive Member for Monopolar Energy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical devices lack the ability to selectively apply monopolar energy to tissue adjacent to the instrument without grasping it, limiting controlled energy delivery to specific tissue spots during minimally-invasive surgery.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a handle and elongate shaft featuring an end effector with movable jaws and a conductive member that can be extended or retracted to apply energy either through grasped tissue or adjacent tissue, allowing for both bipolar and monopolar energy modes based on the position of the conductive member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a surgical device uses only bipolar energy delivery through opposed jaws, then tissue can be sealed and coagulated when grasped, but the device cannot apply energy to tissue spots without clamping the entire section
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical device integrates both bipolar energy delivery (through opposed jaws) and monopolar energy delivery (through conductive member) capabilities into a single instrument. The end effector can function as a bipolar electrode when jaws are closed, and as a monopolar electrode when conductive member is extended, allowing the device to adapt to different surgical needs without requiring separate instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive member is designed to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the end effector. When retracted, the device operates in bipolar mode; when extended, it enables monopolar energy delivery to adjacent tissue. This dynamic configuration allows the device to switch between functional modes based on surgical requirements
2Ease of operation
If the conductive member is extended to apply monopolar energy to adjacent tissue, then spot coagulation without clamping is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive member is positioned within or alongside the end effector structure, allowing it to be nested when not in use. This nesting approach minimizes the overall device profile and reduces structural complexity while still enabling monopolar energy delivery when the conductive member is extended beyond the end effector
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 and controlled application of energy to tissue, facilitating spot coagulation, sealing, and hemostasis without clamping, enhancing surgical precision and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
A conductive member extends longitudinally through the first jaw, and the conductive member has a retracted position in which the conductive member is substantially disposed within the first jaw and an extended position in which the conductive member extends at least partially distally beyond a distal end of the first jaw. The conductive member is also configured to conduct energy through tissue adjacent thereto.
Implementation Method 2
The first and second jaws are also configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped therebetween.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical devices, systems, and methods are provided for applying monopolar energy and bipolar energy to tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided with an end effector that has first and second jaws movable between an open position and a closed position, and a conductive member that extends through the end effector. The conductive member has a retracted position in which the conductive member is substantially disposed within the end effector and an extended position in which the conductive member extends at least partially distally beyond the end effector. The conductive member is configured to conduct energy through tissue adjacent thereto when the conductive member is in the extended position. A trigger coupled to the handle is pivotally movable to move the conductive member between the retracted and extended positions.