Variable Thickness Sealing Plates Direct Energy Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical forceps face challenges in reliably sealing tissue, especially when the tissue is not centered between non-parallel jaw members, leading to inconsistent thermal spread and sealing quality.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates sealing plates of variable thickness and impedance zones on the jaw members, with tapered surfaces and strategically positioned apexes, and insulators to control energy flow and thermal distribution, ensuring consistent energy delivery and reduced thermal spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing plates of uniform thickness are used in electrosurgical forceps, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the tissue sealing reliability is inconsistent when tissue is not centered between non-parallel jaw members
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plate is designed with variable thickness, featuring a thicker central portion and thinner lateral portions. This local variation in thickness allows the central region to concentrate and direct bipolar energy more effectively toward off-center tissue, while the thinner lateral regions reduce unnecessary thermal spread. This resolves the contradiction by improving sealing reliability through localized structural optimization rather than uniform design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the sealing plate from uniform thickness to variable thickness. Specifically, the central portion has a greater thickness than the lateral portions, creating a thickness gradient that directs energy flow. This parameter change enables consistent energy delivery to off-center tissue positions, resolving the reliability issue without requiring complex external control systems.
2Reliability
If bipolar energy is applied to seal tissue in non-parallel closure configurations, then the end effector can function with non-parallel jaws, but the thermal spread is inconsistent leading to poor sealing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plate incorporates impedance zones with different electrical properties at different locations. The central region has impedance characteristics that concentrate bipolar energy toward off-center tissue positions, while lateral regions have different impedance that limits thermal spread to surrounding areas. This local differentiation of electrical properties ensures consistent thermal delivery to the tissue regardless of jaw parallelism.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable thickness structure and impedance zones act as an intermediary between the bipolar energy source and the tissue. This intermediary structure actively directs and shapes the energy flow pattern, concentrating heat at the intended sealing location while preventing excessive thermal spread to adjacent tissues. This resolves the thermal spread inconsistency problem by introducing a mediating structure that controls energy distribution.
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 enhances tissue sealing reliability and reduces thermal spread, improving sealing quality even in non-parallel closure configurations and off-center tissue positions.
Implementation Method 1
sealing plates that direct the flow of energy to enhance sealing and severing of tissue
Implementation Method 2
The sealing plate includes a sealing surface having at least two impedance zones. The at least two impedance zones includes a first zone having a first impedance value and a second zone having a second impedance value that is different from the first impedance value
Implementation Method 3
an insulator supporting the sealing plate thereon
Data Source
AI summary
Jaw members of end effector assemblies include sealing plates configured to direct the amount and flow of energy through the sealing plates. The sealing plates may have a height varying from a minimal height to a maximum height along a width or a length of the sealing plate and/or a sealing surface including at least two impedance zones having different impedance values.