Electrosurgical Forceps With Thermal Cutting After Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps require separate mechanical and energy-based cutting methods, which can be inefficient and require additional steps for tissue severing after treatment.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a thermal cutting element within the electrosurgical forceps that allows for seamless sealing and cutting of tissue using electrosurgical energy, with modes for high and low temperature cutting, and intelligent control based on tissue presence and sealing completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical knife is incorporated into electrosurgical forceps to cut treated tissue, then cutting function is achieved, but device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function and cutting function into a single electrosurgical forceps device. The sealing is achieved through electrosurgical energy applied between jaw members, and the cutting is achieved by advancing the distal tip of the forceps to mechanically sever the sealed tissue. This merging eliminates the need for separate cutting instruments while maintaining both functions in one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrosurgical forceps is designed to perform multiple functions: grasping tissue, sealing tissue through electrosurgical energy, and cutting tissue through mechanical advancement of the distal tip. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require separate instruments for each function.
2Reliability
If electrosurgical energy is supplied to seal tissue, then sealing is achieved, but additional time and energy are required for subsequent cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects when sealing is complete and automatically triggers the cutting action immediately afterward. This preliminary detection and automatic sequencing eliminates delays between sealing and cutting operations, ensuring that cutting is initiated at the optimal moment without unnecessary waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation where sealing and cutting are performed in immediate succession without interruption. The forceps maintains engagement with the tissue throughout the process, and the transition from sealing to cutting is seamless, with the distal tip advancing to cut the sealed tissue right after sealing completion is detected.
3Productivity
If thermal cutting element is activated without tissue presence detection, then cutting can be performed, but energy waste and potential damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates tissue presence detection that provides feedback before activating the thermal cutting element. The control circuit monitors whether tissue is present between the jaw members and only activates cutting when tissue is detected, preventing energy waste and potential damage from activating the cutter in empty space.
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
Facilitates efficient and precise sealing and cutting of tissue with reduced steps, ensuring complete tissue treatment and minimizing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
supplying electrosurgical energy to the first and second jaw members to seal the tissue present between the jaw members
Implementation Method 2
activating a thermal cutting element to supply thermal energy to cut the sealed tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating tissue includes determining whether tissue is present between first and second jaw members. In a case where it is determined that tissue is present between the first and second jaw members, the method further includes determining whether activation has been initiated. In a case where it is determined that activation has been initiated, the method further includes supplying electrosurgical energy to the first and second jaw members to seal the tissue and, if it is determined that sealing is complete: stopping the supply of electrosurgical energy; activating a thermal cutting element to supply thermal energy to cut the sealed present tissue; determining if thermal cutting is complete; and, in a case where it is determined that the thermal cutting is complete, stopping and the supply of thermal energy.