Variable Resistor Jaw for Uniform Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps often fail to achieve uniform tissue sealing due to uneven energy distribution along the jaw members, particularly affecting larger vessels or thick tissue, as the tissue portion nearest the pivot receives more energy than the distal ends, leading to ineffective seals.
Innovation Solution
The bipolar forceps incorporate an end effector assembly with opposing jaw members featuring electrically conductive surfaces and dielectric layers, where the reactive elements, such as capacitors or resistors, are strategically positioned and adjusted based on tissue properties to regulate electrosurgical energy distribution, ensuring consistent sealing by varying impedance along the jaw length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical parameters (pressure and gap distance) are controlled to achieve proper sealing, then tissue sealing is improved, but energy distribution remains uneven along the jaw length causing ineffective seals at distal ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the impedance along the length of the jaw members. Different sections of the jaw have different impedance values, allowing each region to receive appropriate energy levels matched to local tissue characteristics. This resolves the contradiction by enabling uniform energy distribution while maintaining effective mechanical sealing parameters throughout the jaw length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical impedance parameter along the jaw length to compensate for energy distribution issues. By adjusting impedance values at different positions, the system achieves uniform energy delivery while maintaining controlled mechanical parameters for effective tissue sealing.
2Use of energy by moving object
If reactive elements are added to control energy distribution, then energy distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the jaw members into multiple zones with different impedance characteristics. Each segment can be independently controlled through reactive elements, allowing uniform energy distribution while keeping each individual component simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates variable or adjustable reactive elements that can be dynamically configured based on tissue properties. This allows the system to adapt energy distribution in real-time while maintaining relatively simple hardware architecture through programmable control.
3Reliability
If impedance varies along the jaw length to compensate for pressure and surface area changes, then sealing consistency is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect tissue properties and provide feedback to control the reactive elements. This feedback mechanism automatically adjusts impedance distribution to maintain consistent sealing while reducing the need for manual intervention and complex control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses tissue property detection to automatically configure the impedance distribution without requiring constant manual adjustment. The reactive elements self-adjust based on measured tissue characteristics, achieving consistent sealing with reduced control complexity.
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 solution enables controlled and consistent tissue sealing by compensating for changes in tissue impedance, pressure, and surface area, ensuring effective sealing of larger vessels or thick tissue through real-time adjustment of reactive elements based on measured tissue properties.
Implementation Method 1
The reactive element of the sealing plate positioned on the proximal end of the first jaw member has a different impedance than the reactive element positioned on the distal end
Implementation Method 2
the sealing plates are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal
Implementation Method 3
the reactive element is a capacitor, resistor, variable resistor, resistor series, capacitor series, and/or a variable resistor network
Implementation Method 4
Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating the tissue and blood vessels
Data Source
AI summary
A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end and a distal end. A first electrically conductive surface having two or more conductive sealing plates and a dielectric layer is operably coupled to the first jaw member. Each sealing plate is connected to a reactive element and positioned along the first electrically conductive surface from the proximal end to the distal end. The reactive element of the sealing plate have different impedances. A second electrically conductive surface having one or more conductive sealing plates is operably coupled to the second jaw member. Each electrically conductive surface on the jaw members connects to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing plates are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal.