Angled Orthopaedic Milling Cutter for Hard-to-Reach Bone Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milling cutters for orthopaedic surgery, particularly in knee and ankle operations, face challenges such as increased bone removal, non-uniform cement distribution, and structural complexity, making them difficult to handle and limiting access to the operation site, especially when working around the femur.
Innovation Solution
A milling cutter with an angled operating head and gimbal joint, featuring a tubular envelope with overlapping half-shells and anti-rotation elements, allowing the tool axis to be angled relative to the longitudinal axis, facilitating access and reducing bone removal while maintaining ease of handling and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a milling cutter tip is mounted on a gimbal joint to allow angled axis of action, then access to difficult anatomical areas is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The milling cutter incorporates a gimbal joint mechanism that enables dynamic angular adjustment of the cutter axis relative to the longitudinal instrument axis. This allows the cutter to adapt its orientation to reach difficult anatomical areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through controlled degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is divided into distinct functional segments: a longitudinal shaft, an angled operating head, and a gimbal joint connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the shaft for stability, the head for cutting function, and the gimbal for angular adaptation - reducing overall complexity while improving adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the milling cutter axis is angled relative to the longitudinal axis, then bone removal is reduced and precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating head is designed with a specific angled configuration relative to the longitudinal axis, creating an asymmetric structure that optimizes the cutting approach angle. This asymmetric design allows precise control over the milling direction while maintaining structural efficiency and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbal joint serves as an intermediary mechanism between the longitudinal shaft and the angled operating head. It mediates the transmission of rotational motion while allowing angular adjustment, enabling precise cutting orientation without requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tubular envelope is designed with overlapping half-shells, then ease of cleaning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular envelope is segmented into two overlapping half-shells that can be separated from each other. This segmentation allows the internal surfaces to be easily accessed for cleaning while maintaining a complete tubular structure during operation. The overlapping design ensures structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The half-shells are designed to overlap and nest together, forming a complete tubular envelope. This nested configuration allows one half-shell to be positioned over the other, creating a seamless external surface while enabling easy separation for cleaning purposes without requiring complex disassembly mechanisms.
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
The angled milling cutter provides improved access and precision in difficult anatomical areas, reduces bone removal, and ensures easy handling and cleaning, enhancing surgical efficiency and cement adherence.
Implementation Method 1
a gimbal joint provided between the rod end and the tool of said operating head
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopaedic surgical instrument, in particular, a milling cutting, including: an inner rod extended along an own longitudinal axis and provided with an attachment end to a motorized member; a tubular envelope wrapping the inner rod; an operating head at a rod end which is opposite said attachment end; a gimbal joint between the rod end and a tool of said operating head such that said tool is extended along an angled axis with respect to the longitudinal axis. The milling cutter according to the invention improves the precision of execution of the positions of the holes in any surgical operation with anatomy which is difficult to get access to, such as in knee, pelvis, and ankle.