Arthroscopic Device with Rotatable Bone Engagement Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current arthroscopic surgical devices face challenges in efficiently tunneling through hard tissue due to limitations in cross-sectional footprint and operational orientations, which affect insertion and tunneling capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An arthroscopic surgical device featuring a flexible arcuate tunneling needle driver and a rotatable bone engagement element with multiple operative orientations, including a trans-incision insertion cross-sectional footprint and a larger tunneling cross-sectional footprint, equipped with a ratchet handle, bone engagement pin with tapered screw threading, and a suture mounting assembly for efficient tissue tunneling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the device uses a single cross-sectional footprint design, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot efficiently transition between insertion and tunneling operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational orientationsVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a rotatable bone engagement element that can transition between multiple operative orientations (insertion orientation and tunneling orientation), allowing the device to dynamically adapt its cross-sectional footprint based on the operational phase without requiring multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single device structure integrates both insertion and tunneling functions through the rotatable bone engagement element, enabling one device to perform multiple operations (insertion through incision and subsequent tunneling through hard tissue) that would traditionally require different specialized instruments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the device uses a small cross-sectional footprint for insertion, then the insertion capability is good, but the tunneling capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetunneling capabilityVSAvoidinsertion capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable bone engagement element enables the device to switch between a compact insertion footprint and an expanded tunneling footprint, optimizing the cross-sectional dimensions for each specific operational phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a two-dimensional cross-sectional footprint during insertion to a three-dimensional operational configuration during tunneling, utilizing the rotational degree of freedom to expand the effective working area while maintaining minimal insertion profile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2747672B1Arthroscopic surgical device
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 MININVASIVE
  • EP2747672B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2747672B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2747672B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An arthroscopic surgical device for tunneling through hard tissue including an arcuate tunneling needle driver and a bone engagement element, the arcuate needle driver and the bone engagement element being joined together to provide a joined needle driver and bone engagement element having at least two different operative orientations including an arthroscopic operative orientation wherein the joined arcuate needle driver and bone engagement element has a trans-incision insertion cross- sectional footprint and a tunneling operative orientation suitable for tunneling, wherein the joined arcuate needle driver and bone engagement element has a tunneling cross- sectional footprint which is substantially greater than the insertion cross-sectional footprint.