Arthroscopic Shaver Hub Isolating Fluid from Hand Piece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional arthroscopic shavers face challenges in cleaning due to biological material lodging inside the hand piece, leading to reduced durability and potential contamination of the surgical site, as existing cleaning techniques are ineffective and aggressive, compromising sterility.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a cutting assembly with an outer and inner shaft, a hub that prevents fluid contact with the handle assembly, and an exit port positioned distally to the driver mating feature, allowing tissue and fluid to flow through the inner shaft without contacting the handle, facilitating easier cleaning and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aggressive brushing operations are used to clean the hand piece, then biological material can be removed from the hand piece, but the mechanical components and seals within the shaver hand piece are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting assembly is separated from the hand piece, with the cutting assembly being disposable and the hand piece being reusable. This segmentation allows the hand piece to be cleaned without aggressive brushing by removing the contaminated cutting assembly, thereby protecting mechanical components and seals from damage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If conventional cleaning techniques are used on the hand piece, then cleaning can be performed, but tissue remains in the shavers after cleaning, compromising the sterility of a surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting assembly, which contains the contaminated cutting surface and channels, is extracted and disposed of after each use. This extraction eliminates the need for aggressive cleaning of the hand piece while ensuring complete removal of biological material, thereby maintaining surgical site sterility without compromising mechanical components.
3Productivity
If the cutting assembly is designed with fluid flow paths that contact the handle assembly, then fluid and tissue can be transferred through the hand piece, but fluid and tissue become lodged inside the hand piece, requiring thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a disposable cutting assembly and a reusable hand piece. Fluid and tissue flow paths are contained within the cutting assembly, which is then discarded after use. This segmentation enables efficient tissue and fluid transfer while eliminating cleaning requirements for the hand piece, as all contamination remains in the disposable component.
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
This configuration minimizes contact between tissue and fluid with the hand piece, making it easier to clean and sterilize, reducing the risk of contamination and maintaining the integrity of the mechanical components.
Implementation Method 1
The hub can also be configured to prevent fluid from coming into contact with a handle assembly when the hub is coupled to a handle assembly. Thus, tissue cut by the outer and inner cutting tips can flow through the inner shaft without ever contacting the handle assembly.
Implementation Method 2
Suction is applied to a suction port that extends through the handle, causing bodily tissue and associated fluids to flow through the cutting assembly and out through a proximal end of the hand piece.
Data Source
AI summary
Various arthroscopic shavers are provided that minimize contact between bodily fluid and the shaver hand piece. Arthroscopic shavers generally include a cutting assembly mated to a hand piece. In one embodiment, the shaver includes a hub that connects the cutting assembly with the hand piece and has an exit port configured to transport cut tissue and fluid from the device. In another embodiment, the shaver includes a hub configured to retrofit existing shaver hand pieces having interior lumens for removing cut tissue and fluid. The hub further includes an exit port that diverts fluid away from the hand piece.