Adjustable Skin Graft Tool With Oscillating Blade
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current skin graft harvesting devices lack the ability to adjust for different widths and thicknesses of skin grafts, which can be necessary for various wounds.
Innovation Solution
A handheld skin graft tool with a motor-driven oscillating blade assembly and adjustable blade covers for width and thickness guides, allowing for customizable skin graft harvesting, accompanied by a skin punch and fenestrator for preparing the graft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed blade design is used in skin graft harvesting devices, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot accommodate different wound sizes and thickness requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the width and thickness of the harvested skin graft to be modified according to different wound requirements. The blade can be repositioned along the body to change the harvested area dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into modular components including a body, a releasably attached blade cover, and a releasably attached thickness guide. This segmentation allows individual components to be adjusted or replaced to achieve different graft specifications without redesigning the entire device.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom width and thickness controls are added to the harvesting device, then graft precision is improved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade cover serves multiple functions: it protects the blade, defines the width of the harvested graft through its lateral extent, and can be releasably attached to allow adjustment. The thickness guide similarly provides both structural support and precise thickness control through its positioning features.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness guide acts as an intermediary component between the blade assembly and the body, providing precise thickness control through releasable attachment. This mediator component allows easy adjustment of graft thickness without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the blade assembly is made adjustable for different widths, then versatility is improved, but the device becomes more difficult to operate and control
Solution Approach 1:
The blade cover is releasably attached to the body, allowing quick attachment and detachment for width adjustments. This dynamic connection method enables operators to change graft width settings without complex tools or procedures, maintaining ease of operation while providing versatility.
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
Enables precise cutting and preparation of skin grafts of varying sizes and thicknesses, facilitating effective wound coverage and healing by providing a tailored grafting solution.
Implementation Method 1
an eccentric roller operatively connected to the motor output at a roller input. The eccentric roller has a roller output offset from the roller input. A blade assembly is operatively connected to the roller output such that operation of the motor reciprocates the blade assembly in a side-to-side lateral motion
Data Source
AI summary
A skin graft tool can cut a skin graft at a desired thickness and width, as desired. A skin punch is provided to cut a perimeter around the area of the skin to be cut for the graft, and a fenestrator tool is provided to fenestrate the cut graft skin material prior to applying to a graft site.