Tonsillectomy End Effector Ripping Tissue Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures face challenges in efficiently removing tonsil and adenoid tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue, often resulting in incomplete removal and potential airway obstruction.
Innovation Solution
The use of an end effector assembly with tissue-contacting surfaces and insulative members that grasp and cut tissue in a ripping fashion, allowing for precise separation of tissue to be removed from surrounding tissue, utilizing energy to treat and cut the tissue effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical instruments are used for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the tissue removal is incomplete and surrounding tissue is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector assembly is divided into distinct functional components: jaw members for grasping, insulative members for protection, and energy delivery mechanisms for cutting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, achieving precise tissue removal while protecting surrounding structures
Solution Approach 2:
The insulative members act as intermediaries between the energy delivery system and the surrounding tissue. These members are positioned to contact the tissue to be removed while preventing energy transmission to adjacent healthy tissue, thus eliminating the harmful effect of unintended tissue damage
2Productivity
If energy is supplied to tissue-contacting surfaces to treat tissue, then tissue separation is achieved, but the complexity of the surgical instrument increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument combines multiple functions into a single integrated end effector assembly: tissue grasping by jaw members, energy delivery for cutting by tissue-contacting surfaces, and protection of surrounding tissue by insulative members. This merging achieves high productivity while managing complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that can grasp, treat with energy, and cut tissue all through one instrument. The jaw members provide mechanical grasping, the tissue-contacting surfaces deliver energy for cutting, and the insulative members protect surrounding tissue, creating a universal tool for complete tissue removal
3Manufacturing precision
If the end effector assembly translates proximally to cut tissue in a ripping fashion, then complete tissue removal is achieved, but the force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument replaces purely mechanical cutting with energy-based cutting. The tissue-contacting surfaces supply energy to treat and separate tissue, eliminating the need for high mechanical cutting forces while achieving complete tissue separation through the ripping motion
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 method enables efficient and precise removal of tonsil and adenoid tissue, reducing the risk of airway obstruction and improving surgical outcomes by effectively separating the tissue to be removed from the wall tissue, thereby addressing the challenges of incomplete removal and tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
supplying energy to at least one of the tissue-contacting surfaces to treat tissue grasped therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A method of surgery includes grasping tissue between tissue-contacting surfaces of first and second jaw members of an end effector assembly, supplying energy to at least one of the tissue-contacting surfaces to treat tissue grasped therebetween, and translating and/or manipulating the end effector assembly to cut tissue in a ripping fashion.