Ultrasonic Tissue Cutting Feedback for Vessel Sealing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ultrasonic surgical instruments face challenges in sealing blood vessels due to the lack of effective separation of tissue layers, and they often require dedicated generators that do not adapt to different instrument configurations, leading to potential damage from continued activation without visual feedback.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a generator that monitors electrical signals to determine tissue impedance and impedance transitions, providing feedback to indicate when tissue is fully transected and sealed, and can adapt to different ultrasonic and electrosurgical instruments using a unified generator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If ultrasonic energy is applied to cut and coagulate tissue, then cutting precision and coagulation control are improved, but vessel sealing effectiveness deteriorates due to inadequate separation of tissue layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidvessel sealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies a preliminary ultrasonic energy phase to separate the inner muscle layer from the outer adventitia layer of the vessel before the main cutting and coagulation phase. This preliminary action of layer separation enables effective vessel sealing by ensuring proper tissue configuration before applying the full cutting energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If dedicated generators are used for specific ultrasonic instruments, then instrument performance is optimized, but device versatility deteriorates and potential damage occurs from continued activation without visual feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument performanceVSAvoidgenerator adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The generator is designed with a unified control system that can adapt to multiple different ultrasonic and electrosurgical instrument configurations. The system includes feedback mechanisms that monitor tissue impedance and provide visual feedback to the operator, enabling the single generator to safely and effectively control various instrument types without requiring dedicated generators for each instrument.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates real-time feedback through tissue impedance monitoring and visual indicators that show when tissue is fully transected and sealed. This feedback mechanism prevents continued activation after the surgical task is complete, protecting both the instrument and surrounding tissue from heat damage while maintaining versatility across different instrument configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If ultrasonic energy is continuously applied without visual feedback, then cutting action continues, but heat damage occurs to the instrument and surrounding tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting continuityVSAvoidheat damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time visual feedback to the operator indicating when the tissue cut is complete. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to stop activation at the appropriate time, preventing heat damage to the instrument and surrounding tissue while maintaining continuous cutting action during the actual surgical task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system enhances vessel sealing by ensuring complete transection and coagulation with reduced heat damage, while allowing for versatile use across various surgical instruments and providing real-time feedback.

Implementation Method 1

Vibrating at high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade denatures protein in the tissue to form a sticky coagulum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

Ultrasonic energy cuts and coagulates by using lower temperatures than those used by electrosurgery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic heating: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

The system includes a generator that monitors electrical signals to determine tissue impedance and impedance transitions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS20250222280A1Devices and techniques for cutting and coagulating tissue

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.