Energy-Based Surgical Forceps with Yawable Jaw Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy-based surgical forceps often require additional mechanisms for cutting treated tissue, which can complicate the surgical process and may not efficiently sever tissue due to the design of their jaw members.
Innovation Solution
The surgical instrument features a pivotable and yawable jaw mechanism with a lockout bar system that transitions from a locked to an unlocked position, allowing for precise tissue cutting by shearing interior corners of the jaw members, and is designed to facilitate energy application for treating tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cutting mechanism is incorporated into energy-based forceps, then tissue cutting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cutting mechanism with the existing jaw members of the energy-based forceps. The jaw members are designed with interior corners that can shear tissue when the handles are yawed, merging the cutting function into the existing grasping structure rather than adding a separate cutting device.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw members serve multiple functions: they grasp tissue during manipulation, apply energy for treatment (coagulation, sealing), and perform cutting through shearing action when the handles are yawed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the jaw members are designed for both grasping and cutting, then versatility is improved, but cutting precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw members have different functional zones: the main body is designed for grasping and energy application, while the interior corners are specifically shaped to provide sharp cutting edges. This local differentiation ensures that each area of the jaw member is optimized for its specific function, maintaining cutting precision despite the multi-functional design.
3Reliability
If a lockout mechanism is added to prevent premature cutting, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lockout bar is positioned to engage with the gap between shaft members before the handles can be yawed. This preliminary locking action prevents premature cutting attempts, and the lockout is automatically released only when the handles are properly approximated and tissue is clamped, ensuring safe operation without requiring complex control systems.
4Productivity
If the handles are made yawable for cutting, then cutting efficiency is improved, but stability during grasping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed to be dynamically configurable: during normal grasping and tissue manipulation, the handles remain stable in the approximated position with the lockout bar engaged. When cutting is required, the handles can be yawed relative to each other, allowing the jaw members to shear tissue efficiently. This dynamic adaptability optimizes both stability and cutting performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes first and second shaft members defining proximal and distal end portions and including handles at the proximal end portions thereof. A pivot member couples the distal end portions with a gap defined therebetween proximally of the pivot member. First and second jaw members extend distally from the shaft members, distally of the pivot member. A lockout bar is movable between an unlocked position, withdrawn from the gap, and a locked position, disposed within the gap. The handles are pivotable between spaced-apart and approximated positions to pivot the jaw members between open and closed positions. The handles are yawable between the approximated position and a yawed position to yaw the jaw members between the closed position and a cutting position. The gap provides clearance to permit yawing such that, when the lockout bar is disposed in the locked position, yawing of the handles is inhibited.