Variable Closure Track for Surgical Instrument Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices face challenges in applying variable compression to tissue, leading to high actuation forces and inadequate sealing during cutting and sealing operations, which can result in bleeding or leakage due to insufficient compression.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of surgical instruments with variable closure tracks along jaw members, featuring sloped or curved profiles, allows for modulation of compression forces by varying the resistance as the compression member translates, reducing the initial force required and ensuring effective sealing by increasing compression as the mechanical advantage improves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compression/cutting member is positioned close to a pivot joint of the jaw members, then the device can achieve compact structure, but the mechanical advantage is poor requiring a large amount of force to compress tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The closure track is designed with a variable profile that changes the mechanical advantage dynamically during the compression stroke. The track includes a first portion with a first pitch and a second portion with a second pitch, allowing the compression member to experience varying mechanical advantage as it moves along the track, thereby reducing the peak actuation force required while maintaining compact device dimensions.
2Reliability
If RF or other energy is used to seal tissue, then sealing can be achieved, but forcing the actuation rushes the procedure and transects tissue before sufficient fusing time elapses
Solution Approach 1:
The variable pitch closure track allows the compression member to spend more time in the lower compression zone where mechanical advantage is higher, providing extended sealing time without rushing the procedure. The track profile enables controlled, progressive compression that allows RF energy to effectively fuse tissue while maintaining adequate contact pressure throughout the actuation stroke.
3Reliability
If the amount of compression is reduced to allow more sealing time, then sealing effectiveness improves, but insufficient compression leads to insufficient tissue fusing
Solution Approach 1:
The closure track is designed with varying pitch along its length, creating zones of different mechanical advantage. The first portion with higher pitch provides greater mechanical advantage for effective sealing, while the second portion with lower pitch maintains adequate compression force. This dynamic variation allows the system to achieve both sufficient compression for fusing and extended time for RF energy to effectively seal tissue.
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 approach reduces the force needed to actuate the device while ensuring consistent and effective tissue sealing, preventing complications like bleeding or leakage by maintaining optimal compression levels throughout the cutting and sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
a compression member configured to translate longitudinally along a length of the end effector such that a first portion of the compression member contacts the first closure track and a second portion of the compression member contacts the second closure track to move the first jaw member and the second jaw member so as to apply compression to tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical instruments and methods for applying variable compression to tissue are described herein and can have particular utility when cutting and sealing tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument end effector is described that includes first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position to clamp tissue therebetween. The end effector can include a compression member configured to translate along the end effector to move the first and second jaw members and apply a variable compression force to the tissue. The variable compression force can have different profiles along the length of the end effector, including, for example, a continuously increasing profile or a profile that alternates between different values. The provided variable compression can reduce the force required to actuate the surgical instrument and increase the quality of a tissue seal formed thereby.