Surgical End Effector With Three-Phase RF Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments combining ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy are not optimized for effective use of both technologies, leading to suboptimal tissue treatment outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with an end effector assembly featuring jaw members, where one jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade and electrodes that can be electrically isolated or coupled to conduct electrosurgical energy, allowing for various energy delivery configurations to optimize tissue treatment, including simultaneous, staggered, or consecutive delivery of ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing surgical instruments combine ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy, then both technologies can be used in a single device, but the end effectors are not optimized for effective use of both technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is divided into separate functional zones: an ultrasonic blade portion for ultrasonic energy delivery and electrodes for electrosurgical energy delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together in a unified device, resolving the contradiction between versatility and treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the end effector have different properties: the ultrasonic blade is designed with specific acoustic impedance and vibration characteristics, while the electrodes are designed with specific electrical conductivity and geometry. This local optimization ensures each component performs its function effectively, maintaining reliability while providing combined functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrodes are electrically isolated and energizable to different potentials, then electrosurgical energy can be conducted between them, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate with electrodes electrically isolated at different potentials for bipolar electrosurgical energy delivery, or with electrodes electrically coupled for monopolar delivery. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware configuration to support different electrosurgical modes, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical configuration of the electrodes is made dynamic and adjustable during operation. The system can switch between electrically isolated and electrically coupled states, and can adjust potentials during procedure. This dynamic capability allows adaptation to different surgical needs without requiring multiple fixed configurations, managing complexity while enhancing versatility
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 instrument provides enhanced tissue sealing, dissection capabilities, and improved seal quality by leveraging the strengths of both ultrasonic and electrosurgical energies through optimized energy delivery configurations.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasonic surgical device may include, for example, an ultrasonic blade and a clamp mechanism to enable clamping tissue against the blade. Ultrasonic energy transmitted to the blade causes the blade to vibrate at very high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), which allows for heating tissue to treat tissue clamped against or otherwise in contact with the blade.
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic energy transmitted to the blade causes the blade to vibrate at very high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), which allows for heating tissue to treat tissue clamped against or otherwise in contact with the blade.
Implementation Method 3
An electrosurgical device may include, for example, opposing jaw members operable to clamp tissue therebetween and conduct energy, e.g., RF energy, through clamped tissue to treat tissue.
Implementation Method 4
conduct energy, e.g., RF energy, through clamped tissue to treat tissue
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector assembly, including: a first jaw member; and a second jaw member including an ultrasonic blade configured to be energized with ultrasonic energy, wherein the first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, characterized in that the end effector assembly includes first, second, and third electrodes configured to be energized with RadioFrequency (RF) energy in a three-phase configuration.