Two-Piece Jaw Bipolar Device for Rib-Space Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an electrosurgical device that can access internal tissue in difficult-to-reach areas through a small incision, particularly in the thoracic cavity, and can be disassembled and reassembled within the patient to facilitate procedures like cardiovascular pacing.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece jaw bipolar electrosurgical device with angled clamping jaw assemblies that can be disassembled outside the patient and reassembled within the patient, featuring a disassemble-and-reassemble design that fits between ribs, allowing for precise positioning and operation on hard-to-reach tissues like heart or vascular tissue, with mechanisms for jaw alignment and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a single-piece electrosurgical device is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but access to difficult-to-reach areas through small incisions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrosurgical device is divided into multiple separate jaw assemblies that can be inserted independently through small incisions. Each jaw assembly can be inserted separately and then joined together within the body to form the complete functional device, enabling access to difficult-to-reach areas while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
2Ease of operation
If a two-piece jaw design is used for access through small incisions, then access to difficult-to-reach areas is improved, but jaw alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment features such as guide rails, alignment pins, or keyed interfaces are pre-configured on the jaw assemblies before insertion. These features automatically guide the jaws into proper alignment when joined within the body, eliminating the need for complex real-time alignment procedures and ensuring precise electrode positioning despite the modular design.
3Ease of operation
If jaw assemblies are joined within the body, then access to internal tissues is achieved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw assemblies incorporate self-aligning and self-locking mechanisms that automatically engage when the jaws are brought together within the body. Features such as spring-loaded locking tabs, cam-locked interfaces, or magnetic alignment systems ensure reliable connection without requiring complex external tools or procedures, maintaining connection reliability despite in-vivo assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for transmural ablation using an electrosurgical device having a pair of angled clamping jaws designed to be disassembled outside the patient and reassembled within the patient in a series of method steps. This disassemble and reassemble design of the electrosurgical device fits within the narrow gap between ribs of the patient, and offers unusual opportunities to work in difficult to access areas such as the thoracic cavity. Once the surgery has been performed, the electrosurgical device can be disassembled in the patient and removed one piece at a time, or removed as a unit.