Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Enhanced Surgical Forceps with Tactile Feedback and Automated Force Control

Publication ID: 24-11857213_0006_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Surgical Forceps with Tactile Feedback and Automated Force Control,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857213_0006_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857213_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,213.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved surgical forceps design providing real-time tactile feedback and automated force control during medical procedures, enhancing precision and safety.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a surgical forceps with hinged jaws and force distribution. However, the existing design lacked real-time feedback and automation, leading to potential errors and complications during surgeries. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing a detent mechanism for tactile feedback, sensor-based position detection, and automated force control.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced surgical forceps comprise a first shaft, a cam feature, and a first jaw with a cam interface and an actuator track. The actuator track incorporates a detent mechanism, providing tactile feedback during jaw movement. A sensor detects the position of the first jaw, enabling real-time feedback to the user during a medical procedure. The forceps automatically adjust the closing force applied by the first jaw based on the detected position, ensuring optimal tissue manipulation. Additionally, the actuator track may include a mechanical stop to prevent over-clamping of tissue, and the first jaw may feature a coating to reduce tissue adhesion and improve jaw release.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the detent mechanism, sensor-based position detection, automated force control, mechanical stop, and tissue adhesion-reducing coating, which are novel and non-obvious improvements over the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include variations in the detent mechanism design, sensor types, and automation algorithms. The inventive concept could also be adapted for use in other medical devices, such as graspers or dissectors.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced surgical forceps have significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in laparoscopic and open surgery markets, where precision and safety are paramount.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/282
A A61 A61B2017/00367
A A61 A61B2017/2932
A A61 A61B2017/2933

Field of Art

Surgical instrumentation, specifically medical forceps and minimally invasive surgical devices, requiring expertise in mechanical design, biomechanical engineering, and medical device development

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or mechanical engineer with advanced degree, 3-5 years experience in surgical instrument design, familiar with medical device mechanisms, tissue manipulation techniques, and precision mechanical interfaces

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent incremental improvements to the source patent's forceps design using standard engineering techniques. The additional features like tactile feedback, sensor-based position detection, and force control are logical extensions of existing surgical instrument design principles. These modifications represent predictable solutions to known challenges in surgical instrument performance and precision.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Cam feature and actuator track for jaw movement in surgical forceps
PTD Variation
Adding a detent mechanism to the actuator track to provide tactile feedback
Obviousness Reasoning
Detent mechanisms are well-known in mechanical design for providing positional feedback, and a PHOSITA would find it obvious to incorporate such a mechanism into an existing surgical instrument to enhance user experience
Source Patent Element
Jaw movement controlled by actuator arm
PTD Variation
Implementing a sensor to detect jaw position and automatically adjust closing force
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating position sensing and force control is a predictable solution for improving surgical instrument precision, using standard sensor and control technologies
Source Patent Element
Surgical forceps with movable jaws
PTD Variation
Adding a mechanical stop in the actuator track to prevent over-clamping
Obviousness Reasoning
Preventing tissue damage through mechanical limits is a standard safety design approach that a PHOSITA would consider an obvious improvement to existing surgical instruments
Source Patent Element
Metal or plastic jaw surfaces in surgical forceps
PTD Variation
Applying a coating to reduce tissue adhesion and improve jaw release
Obviousness Reasoning
Surface modification techniques to reduce tissue interaction are well-known in medical device design, representing a routine engineering solution to a common surgical instrument challenge
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857213 and the disclosed technical variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed surgical forceps improvements obvious and therefore unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. Section 103, as the modifications represent predictable variations using known techniques in surgical instrument design.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,213
TitleForceps with hinged jaws and force distribution
Assignee(s)Gyrus ACMI, Inc.