Surgical Instrument Force Applier for Thick Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surgical instruments are inadequate for sealing thick tissue, such as lung parenchyma or solid organ tissue, due to their thickness and strength, requiring a specialized instrument that can apply sufficient force and control during surgical procedures like lobectomies and segmentectomies.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a housing, elongated portion, end effector, drive beam, and force applier, featuring multiple actuators that allow for precise movement of jaw members and additional force application through a force applier, along with a knife assembly and sensors for tissue thickness and pulse detection, enabling effective clamping, perfusion, and sealing of tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing methods are used for thick tissue, then the surgical instrument is simple, but the sealing effectiveness is insufficient due to tissue thickness and strength
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument divides the sealing function into multiple independent components: a first actuator for jaw approximation, a second actuator for force applier extension, and a third actuator for knife deployment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to seal thick tissue effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The force applier adds a third dimension of force application beyond the traditional two-dimensional jaw clamping. By extending the force applier through the cavity of the first jaw member in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the system applies force from multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously, enabling effective sealing of thick tissue.
2Force
If additional actuators and force applier are added to seal thick tissue, then the sealing capability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force applier serves multiple functions: it applies additional sealing force, perfuses blood through the tissue, and can be retracted to allow knife deployment. The cavity in the first jaw member serves both as a structural element and as a pathway for the force applier. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The force applier is received within the cavity of the first jaw member, creating a nested configuration. The force applier can be extended through this cavity and retracted back into it, allowing compact storage when not in use while maintaining full functionality when needed.
3Reliability
If the force applier is made translatable to apply additional force, then the sealing effectiveness improves, but the control precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated to detect tissue thickness and pulse characteristics, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the control circuit to automatically adjust the actuator commands to maintain optimal sealing conditions, simplifying the control of the force applier's translational movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic control where the force applier's position and movement are continuously adjusted based on real-time tissue conditions detected by sensors. The actuators can be selectively and independently actuated, allowing dynamic adaptation to varying tissue thickness and characteristics during the sealing process.
4Measurement precision
If sensors for tissue detection are added, then the treatment precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors are integrated directly into the jaw members and force applier, allowing the instrument to self-assess tissue conditions without requiring external monitoring equipment. The tissue thickness sensor and pulse sensor provide automatic feedback that the system uses to regulate its own operation, reducing the need for separate external measurement devices.
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 effectively seals thick tissue by applying controlled forces and electrosurgical energy, ensuring secure tissue closure and perfusion, even in challenging procedures, while allowing for precise manipulation and tissue cutting.
Implementation Method 1
activating electrosurgical energy through the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument including a housing, an elongated portion, an end effector, a drive beam and a force applier is provided. The housing includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member has a cavity defined therein. Actuation of the first actuator causes distal translation of the drive beam to move the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member toward the approximated position, which applies a fist force against tissue disposed between the jaw members. Actuation of the second actuator causes distal translation of the force applier such that at least a portion of the force applier moves into the cavity of the first jaw member and applies an additional force against tissue disposed between the jaw members.