Electrosurgical Vessel Sealer Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrosurgical vessel sealers experience extended vessel sealing times and significant energy loss, leading to tissue sticking and charring due to inefficient power delivery.

Innovation Solution

An electrosurgical system with a predetermined continuous power curve that includes a first power delivery segment decreasing from a high to a low power level and a second segment increasing to a final power level, optimized to desiccate tissue without boiling or over-desiccation, using a combination of power delivery shapes such as linear, concave, and convex curves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional predetermined power curves are used for vessel sealing, then vessel sealing can be achieved, but vessel sealing time is extended and energy is lost to jaws and environment causing tissue sticking and charring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy loss to jaws and environmentVSAvoidvessel sealing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static, step-wise power delivery to a dynamic continuous power curve that smoothly varies power delivery over time. The power curve continuously adjusts the RF energy output to match the thermal requirements of tissue sealing at different stages, preventing energy waste and thermal damage while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the power delivery profile from discrete steps to a continuous function with varying power levels. The continuous power curve adjusts multiple parameters including power magnitude, duration, and rate of change to optimize the sealing process, reducing energy loss and preventing tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If higher power is applied to shorten vessel sealing time, then sealing speed increases, but tissue temperature rises causing boiling of moisture and charring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel sealing speedVSAvoidtissue charring and moisture boiling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing a power curve that proactively prevents tissue temperature from reaching dangerous levels. The continuous power delivery profile anticipates thermal accumulation and adjusts power levels to keep tissue temperature within the optimal sealing range, preventing moisture boiling and charring before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic continuous power curve continuously adapts power delivery based on the thermal state of the tissue, increasing power when needed for sealing progress while automatically reducing power when tissue temperature approaches dangerous thresholds, thus preventing charring while maintaining sealing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If extended power delivery is used to ensure complete tissue sealing, then sealing reliability improves, but energy loss to jaws and environment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing completenessVSAvoidenergy loss to jaws and environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action through a continuous power delivery curve that maintains optimal power levels throughout the entire sealing process without interruption or wasteful plateau phases. The continuous function ensures consistent thermal energy transfer to the tissue, achieving reliable sealing while minimizing energy loss to the environment and jaw structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 vessel sealing time, minimizes energy loss, and prevents tissue sticking and charring by maintaining a controlled thermal environment, ensuring efficient and effective sealing with less energy wasted.

Implementation Method 1

The electrodes of the vessel sealer are carried by a pair of opposing jaws and interconnected to an electrosurgical generator that can selectively supply radiofrequency (RF) energy to the electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The first power delivery segment delivers an amount of power that causes any tissue trapped in the pair of jaws to desiccate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesiccation: Desiccation

Implementation Method 3

The first power delivery segment delivers an amount of power that will not cause any tissue trapped in the pair of jaws to reach a temperature that results in boiling of any moisture in the tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectControlled heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230017125A1Power control for an electrosurgical vessel sealer

Publication Date: 2023.01.19 CONMED CORP

AI summary

A power delivery approach for delivering power to an electrosurgical vessel sealer when the jaws of the sealer surround tissue to be desiccated. Power delivery commences at a starting point that is at least 40 Joules and then decreases over a first predetermined period of time to a predetermined minimum power level to provide approximately 15 Joules in total. When the predetermined minimum power level is reached, power is then continuously increased over a second predetermined period of time to fully desiccate the tissue. Power delivery is terminated prior to over-desiccation of the tissue.