Angled Blade Cutting Tool for Precise Tendon Incision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cutting tools for horizontal tendon incision in quadriceps tendon reconstruction are invasive, lead to uncontrolled and dimensionally inaccurate cuts, and cause damage to surrounding soft tissue, with poor visibility and cosmetic outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool with a stem and cutting head featuring angled blades and a beveled upper edge, allowing for precise, minimally invasive horizontal incision with improved cutting efficiency and reduced tissue damage, coupled with a gripping handpiece for enhanced control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional cutting tool with rectangular cutting edges is used for horizontal tendon incision, then the cutting tool can be introduced through a small incision, but the cutting tip becomes unsteady leading to uncontrolled and dimensionally inaccurate collections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintroduction through small incisionVSAvoidcutting accuracy and dimensional control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting tip is designed with a rounded geometry instead of sharp rectangular edges. This rounded shape provides stability during insertion through small incisions while maintaining precise cutting control, eliminating the unsteadiness associated with conventional rectangular cutting edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If a conventional cutting tool with orthogonal cutting edges is used, then the cutting action can be performed, but there is increased resistance to cutting and risk of damage to surrounding soft tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting action efficiencyVSAvoidtissue damage and cutting resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded cutting edges reduce resistance during the cutting action compared to orthogonal rectangular edges. The curved geometry allows smoother tissue separation with less force required, thereby reducing the risk of damage to surrounding soft tissue while maintaining cutting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If traditional open surgical procedure is used for tendon collection, then the surgeon has good visibility, but the procedure is invasive and causes poor cosmetic outcomes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical site visibilityVSAvoidcosmetic damage and tissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting tool is designed to be introduced through a small separate incision rather than requiring a large open surgical approach. This segmentation allows the main surgical site to remain minimally invasive while the cutting action occurs through a small access point, preserving cosmetic outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting tool acts as an intermediary instrument that performs the cutting action through a small incision, eliminating the need for the surgeon to directly visualize and manually cut the tendon through a large open incision. This intermediary approach maintains visibility of the cutting action while avoiding large cosmetic scars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12029401B2Cutting tool for the horizontal incision of a tendon

Publication Date: 2024.07.09 MEDACTA INT SA

AI summary

Various implementations include a cutting tool for the horizontal incision of tendons. The tool comprises a stem extending along a longitudinal axis, having a distal end, a proximal end and a cutting head, located close to said distal end, having a base plate, having a longitudinal extension axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stem, and a blade extending on a plane parallel to the base plate. The blade has a plurality of cutting edges inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cutting head according to different angles, so as to identify at least two vertices defined by two V-shaped profiles.