Surgical Device Visual Indicators Using Electro-Luminescent Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical devices lack efficient means to communicate information to users during procedures, requiring additional equipment and being time-consuming, which hampers the efficiency and safety of minimally-invasive surgeries.
Innovation Solution
Integration of electro-luminescent (EL) materials and light assemblies on surgical devices to provide visual indicators for real-time status information, such as energy modality, tissue sealing, and error detection, using EL wire, tape, or light-emitting capacitors that can illuminate in various colors and patterns to convey operational details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional surgical devices without visual indicators are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot obtain real-time information about device status and tissue conditions, requiring additional equipment and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the visual indicator function with the existing surgical device structure by integrating EL materials into the end effector and shaft. This merging approach allows the device to communicate status information (tissue contact, sealing status, energy application) without requiring separate monitoring equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between information completeness and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The EL materials serve as an intermediary that translates internal device status (electrical signals about tissue sealing, contact, and energy application) into visible light outputs. This intermediary mechanism enables real-time information communication while keeping the overall system architecture simple, as the EL materials directly respond to existing electrical signals in the surgical device
2Loss of information
If additional equipment is added to provide real-time information, then information completeness improves, but the procedural time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical device provides its own status information through the integrated EL visual indicators, eliminating the need for external monitoring equipment. The EL materials use the device's existing electrical signals to generate light outputs that communicate tissue contact, sealing status, and energy application in real-time, allowing the device to serve its own information communication needs without adding procedural time
Solution Approach 2:
The EL visual indicator system serves multiple functions simultaneously: indicating tissue contact, monitoring sealing status, showing energy application state, and providing error detection. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated system that uses the device's existing electrical architecture, avoiding the need for multiple separate equipment additions that would increase procedural time
3Reliability
If visual indicators are integrated into the surgical device, then user awareness and safety improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EL materials are strategically placed at specific locations on the surgical device where they provide the most valuable safety information: on the end effector to indicate tissue contact and sealing status, and on the shaft to show energy application state. This localized placement provides critical safety information without requiring comprehensive instrumentation of the entire device, thus balancing reliability improvement with controlled complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical or electronic display systems with EL materials that convert electrical signals directly into light outputs. This substitution simplifies the overall system architecture by using a passive, solid-state light generation mechanism rather than active display components, thereby improving reliability through fewer moving parts while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
Enhances user awareness of surgical device status and tissue conditions, improving procedural safety and efficiency by providing immediate visual feedback without the need for additional equipment, thus reducing costs and improving surgical precision.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-luminescent (EL) material... The EL material is configured to provide a light output indicative of a status of the electrosurgical device
Implementation Method 2
The EL material can include a phosphor material configured to glow when exposed to alternating current of the RF energy
Implementation Method 3
The electrode is configured to conduct radio frequency (RF) energy to tissue in contact therewith. The application of electrical energy to the engaged tissue can seal and coagulate the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
In general, surgical devices including visual indicators thereon are provided. A user of the device therefore may quickly visually ascertain various operational details of the surgical device and/or various pieces of information about the device and/or tissue of a patient being operated on.