Surgical End Effector with Dual Electrodes for Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrosurgical devices face challenges in achieving a hemostatic seal in tissues with varying thickness, density, and quality due to the need for adjusting electrical energy delivery, leading to either burning or insufficient sealing.
Innovation Solution
The design of an end effector with a first and second jaw, where the second jaw has an elongated channel and a cartridge with two electrodes, allowing for different energy delivery profiles by adjusting the distance between electrodes based on jaw position, enabling specific energy application during tissue compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single control for electrical energy delivery is used, then the device is simple to operate, but it causes burned portions or insufficient sealing in inhomogeneous tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The electrosurgical device divides the single electrical energy delivery function into multiple independent electrodes (first electrode and second electrode), each capable of delivering energy independently to different portions of the tissue. This segmentation allows tailored energy application to address inhomogeneous tissue characteristics while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies different electrical energy levels to different electrodes based on local tissue characteristics. The control system determines which electrode receives energy and at what level, enabling localized adaptation to tissue variations in thickness, density, and quality, thereby preventing both burning and insufficient sealing.
2Reliability
If multiple electrodes with different energy levels are used, then the quality of hemostatic seal improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a movable jaw assembly that dynamically adjusts the distance between electrodes and tissue during operation. This dynamic positioning allows the system to deliver appropriate energy levels from different electrodes based on real-time tissue compression and thickness variations, achieving reliable sealing without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors tissue characteristics and jaw position to automatically determine which electrode should receive electrical energy and at what level. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention, allowing multiple electrodes to be managed automatically while maintaining device simplicity and improving seal quality.
3Reliability
If electrical energy is applied during jaw movement, then sealing of varying tissue thickness is improved, but energy delivery timing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device delivers electrical energy in periodic pulses synchronized with jaw movement phases. The control system activates specific electrodes at predetermined stages of jaw closure based on detected tissue thickness, enabling effective sealing of varying tissue depths without requiring continuous complex timing adjustments.
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 approach allows for precise energy distribution to achieve effective hemostatic sealing by varying the energy application based on tissue characteristics, preventing both burning and insufficient sealing.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrode configured to apply electrosurgical energy to a tissue when the first and second jaws are moving from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
a second electrode configured to apply electrosurgical energy to the tissue in the second position
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw configured to move from a first position to a second position. The second jaw includes a channel and a cartridge removably coupled to the channel. A first electrode is configured to apply electrosurgical energy to a tissue and a second electrode is configured to apply electrosurgical energy to the tissue. In the second position a distance between the first electrode and the first jaw is greater than a distance between the second electrode and the first jaw. The first electrode is configured to apply electrosurgical energy to the tissue when the first and second jaws are moving from the first position to the second position, and the second electrode is configured to apply electrosurgical energy to the tissue in the second position.