Surgical Forceps with Integrated Knife and Electrode Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical forceps require additional steps for tissue severing after electrosurgical treatment, as they lack an integrated mechanism for precise cutting along treated tissue areas.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates first and second shaft members with jaw members and electrode plates, featuring a knife assembly and activation mechanism that allows the forceps to pivot from an open to a closed position, enabling the knife blade to extend between jaw members for precise cutting, while the electrode plates facilitate electrosurgical treatment and tissue grasping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical forceps are designed with only electrosurgical treatment capability, then electrosurgical treatment function is achieved, but tissue severing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrosurgical treatment function and mechanical cutting function into a single forceps instrument. The cutting blade is integrated within the jaw structure, allowing both electrosurgical coagulation and mechanical severing to be performed by the same instrument without requiring separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple surgical tasks: tissue grasping via jaw closure, electrosurgical treatment via electrode plates, and tissue severing via the integrated cutting blade. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized instruments.
2Productivity
If a separate cutting instrument is used after electrosurgical treatment, then precise cutting can be achieved, but procedural time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade and electrosurgical electrodes are integrated within the same jaw structure, allowing the surgeon to perform treatment and cutting in continuous motion without instrument changes or repositioning, thereby reducing procedural time and improving surgical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting blade is pre-positioned within the jaw structure alongside the electrodes, ready for immediate use after electrosurgical treatment. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for additional setup or instrument preparation steps.
3Reliability
If the electrode plate extends through the jaw member, then electrical connection is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode plate is designed with a perpendicular extension that passes through the jaw member in a direction perpendicular to the jaw's closing motion. This dimensional arrangement allows electrical connection without interfering with the mechanical pivoting action of the jaw.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode plate is segmented into multiple portions: a first portion that contacts tissue, a second portion that extends through the jaw member, and a third portion that connects to the electrical conductor. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity.
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 configuration allows for efficient tissue grasping, treatment, and precise cutting in a single instrument, reducing procedural complexity and enhancing surgical efficiency by integrating tissue cutting with electrosurgical functions.
Implementation Method 1
The proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members are engaged with the respective first and second shaft members and are pivotably coupled to each other such that pivoting the first and second shaft members relative to each other from an open position to a closed position pivots the distal jaw bodies of the first and second jaw members relative to each other from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position
Implementation Method 2
Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to treat tissue, e.g., by heating tissue to coagulate, cauterize, and/or seal tissue
Implementation Method 3
heating tissue to coagulate, cauterize, and/or seal tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A forceps includes a pair of shaft members, a pair of jaw members each including a distal body and a proximal flange, and a pair of electrode plates. The proximal flanges are engaged with the respective shaft members and pivotably coupled to each other such that pivoting the shaft members pivots the distal jaw bodies. The electrode plates each includes a tissue-contacting portion disposed on the distal body of the respective jaw member and a proximal extension portion extending at least partially through the proximal flange of the respective jaw member. The tissue-contacting portion and proximal extension portion of the first electrode plate are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other. Likewise, the tissue-contacting portion and proximal extension portion of the second electrode plate are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other.