Articulable Surgical Cutting Tool Constant Velocity Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical cutting tools, such as those with universal joints, face limitations in maintaining constant rotational velocity at various articulated positions, leading to instability, vibration, and wear, making them unsuitable for high-speed operations and hard-to-reach areas in joints like the shoulder, hip, and ankle.
Innovation Solution
An articulating rotary cutting tool with a selectively articulable cutting head, a drive shaft, and a cable system that allows the cutting head to maintain constant rotational velocity through a joint axis, enabling flexible articulation and stable operation at different angles, utilizing a flexible spring joint or hex-ball configuration for improved stability and ease of manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If universal joints are used to articulate the cutting head, then the tool can reach hard-to-reach areas, but the rotational velocity becomes non-constant causing vibration and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional universal joint mechanical system with a flexible coupling system comprising a flexible member and a constant velocity joint. This substitution eliminates the velocity fluctuation inherent in universal joints while maintaining articulation capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and rotational stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If universal joints are used for articulation, then the cutting head can change position, but wear and backlash increase quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the universal joint with a flexible coupling mechanism that uses elastic deformation of a flexible member rather than mechanical tooth engagement. This eliminates backlash and significantly reduces wear, improving reliability while preserving articulation range.
3Productivity
If high RPM operation is required for efficient bone removal, then productivity increases, but universal joints cannot maintain constant velocity at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the velocity-fluctuating universal joint with a constant velocity joint coupled with a flexible member. This allows the system to operate at high RPM with constant rotational velocity, enabling efficient bone removal without the limitations of traditional universal joints.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional universal joints are used, then articulation is possible, but the design becomes complicated and manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the articulation function and constant velocity maintenance into a single integrated flexible coupling system. The flexible member itself provides both the articulation capability and the constant velocity transmission, eliminating the need for separate universal joint components and simplifying the overall design.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulating rotary cutting tool configured to articulate a distal cutting tip upon a trigger being operated. The trigger can be locked into various articulating positions. The velocity of rotation of a cutting bit is substantially constant in both articulating and non-articulating positions. An articulation joint is one of a hex ball joint or a flexible spring joint. A button is included to release a locking pressure holding the trigger in a locked position. The trigger may employ articulating sliding surfaces that provide constraint to a flexed head in both directions of articulation.