Surgical Instrument Partial Trigger Lockout Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical instruments lack an efficient mechanism for simultaneously cutting and sealing tissue with bipolar RF energy, requiring complex control systems and mechanical lockouts to manage the cutting and sealing processes.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical device with a handpiece and end effector featuring a pivoting trigger, articulation control, and a firing beam that advances to sever tissue while applying bipolar RF energy to seal the tissue, utilizing a sliding linkage or dual cam mechanism to ensure jaws are fully closed before cutting, enhancing mechanical advantage and reducing the force required for tissue severance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex control system and mechanical lockout are used to manage cutting and sealing processes, then tissue cutting and sealing can be controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cutting and sealing control functions into a single integrated system. The firing trigger simultaneously controls both the cutting blade advancement and the bipolar RF energy delivery through a unified control mechanism, eliminating the need for separate control systems and mechanical lockouts that would otherwise be required to manage these processes independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The firing trigger serves multiple functions: it activates the cutting blade, controls RF energy delivery, and manages the sequencing of cutting and sealing operations. This multi-functional trigger mechanism replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate controls and mechanical lockout devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable control.
2Productivity
If a firing beam advances to sever tissue, then tissue cutting is achieved, but operational force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical tissue cutting with a hybrid system where bipolar RF energy performs the primary cutting function. The firing beam delivers RF energy that severs tissue through thermal mechanisms rather than mechanical force, while a blade provides minimal mechanical assistance. This substitution dramatically reduces the operational force required compared to traditional mechanical cutting alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cutting mechanism from mechanical force-based to energy-based by applying bipolar RF energy. The firing beam delivers controlled electrical energy that transforms tissue through heating and vaporization, fundamentally changing the cutting parameter from mechanical force to thermal energy, thereby reducing the force burden on the mechanical cutting components.
3Reliability
If bipolar RF energy is applied to seal tissue, then sealing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function into the existing firing beam structure. The bipolar RF energy delivery is integrated with the cutting mechanism, allowing the same firing trigger and beam structure to perform both cutting and sealing functions. This integration avoids adding a separate, complex sealing system while achieving reliable sealing performance through the energy already present in the firing beam.
4Force
If a sliding linkage or dual cam mechanism is used to ensure jaws are fully closed before cutting, then mechanical advantage is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a linkage mechanism that automatically ensures the jaws are fully closed and properly positioned before the cutting and sealing actions occur. This preliminary positioning action is built into the firing sequence, where the trigger mechanism first closes the jaws completely, then activates the firing beam and blade. This preliminary action ensures optimal mechanical advantage without requiring complex adjustable linkages or cams.
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 device effectively cuts and seals tissue with reduced operational force and improved mechanical advantage, ensuring consistent sealing and cutting performance by integrating bipolar RF energy application with the firing mechanism, enhancing surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
applying bipolar RF energy to seal the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a firing beam, and a lockout feature. The second jaw pivots relative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position. The firing beam has a sharp distal end and translates between the first and second jaws. The firing beam translates from a proximal position to a first distal position to pivot the second jaw to the closed position. The end effector applies bipolar RF energy when the firing beam is in the first distal position. The firing beam then translates to a second distal position to sever tissue captured between the first and second jaws. The lockout feature prevents the firing beam from advancing from the first distal position to the second distal position until the lockout feature is actuated.