Bone Cleaning Module With Fluted Screw And Shaving Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone cleaning processes in surgical procedures are inefficient and prone to contamination, as manual removal of soft tissue from bone chips is time-consuming and can lead to tissue adherence to equipment, causing contamination and requiring manual intervention to clear trapped bone fragments.

Innovation Solution

A bone cleaning and milling assembly with a motor-powered bone cleaning module that includes a fluted screw and shaving tube, allowing for automated removal of soft tissue with minimal manual intervention, and a milling module for converting cleaned bone into chips, facilitating efficient transfer and reducing contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual tools such as scalpels, curettes and rongeurs are used to clean bone, then the soft tissue can be removed from the bone, but the process is time-consuming and may cause contamination due to glove tearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning tools (scalpels, curettes, rongeurs) with an automated mechanical cleaning system featuring a rotating fluted screw and shaving tube that mechanically shear soft tissue from bone stock, eliminating manual intervention and associated contamination risks while significantly reducing cleaning time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning system is designed to automatically process bone stock without requiring continuous manual intervention. The fluted screw rotates to advance bone stock through the cleaning elements, and the system self-regulates the cleaning process, freeing surgical personnel from time-consuming manual cleaning tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If surgical personnel firmly grasp the bone to perform cleaning, then the cleaning process can be performed, but this may cause tearing of the gloves worn by the surgical personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning operationVSAvoidglove integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual grasping and manipulation of bone stock with an automated mechanical system where the fluted screw rotates to advance bone stock through the cleaning elements, eliminating the need for surgical personnel to firmly grasp bone and thereby preventing glove tearing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluted screw acts as an intermediary mechanism between the surgical personnel and the bone stock, transferring the cleaning function from direct manual manipulation to an automated mechanical interface that does not require glove contact with bone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If the fluted screw and shaving tube are used to clean bone, then automated cleaning is achieved, but bone stock may become trapped between the cleaning elements requiring manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning automationVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates periodic reverse rotation of the fluted screw that dislodges and ejects bone stock from between the cleaning elements at regular intervals, preventing trapping and eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining continuous automated operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically reverses the rotation direction of the fluted screw during operation, creating a periodic ejection action that prevents bone stock from becoming trapped between the cleaning elements and maintains smooth automated flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 assembly significantly reduces manual handling time, minimizes contamination risks, and ensures efficient conversion of bone stock into chips, enhancing the speed and sterility of surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The fluted screw is shaped so the flutes define cutting edges. The shaving tube has a window through which the screw flutes are exposed. The portion of the shaving tube that defines the window is shaped to have its own cutting edges against the crew flutes. These cutting edges cooperate to shear, cut, the soft tissue away from the bone.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical cutting:

Implementation Method 2

Bone is cleaned using the module of this assembly by pressing the bone against the fluted screw while rotating the screw. The soft tissue adhering to the bone is pressed against the flutes.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical pressing:

Implementation Method 3

An electrically operated bone mill capable of converting bone stock into bone chips

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS20240082020A1Bone Cleaner That Removes Soft Tissue By Pressing Bone Stock Against A Cleaning Element And Clearing The Bone Stock From The Cleaning Element

Publication Date: 2024.03.14 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A bone cleaning assembly with cleaning elements that remove soft tissue from bone stock. The module also includes a clearing element that is periodically urged against the cleaning elements to remove bone stock trapped by the cleaning elements from the cleaning elements.