Bone Cut Surface Laser Ablation Smear Layer Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone cutting methods using osteotomic instruments often delay bone healing due to the formation of a smear layer and debris at the cut surface, which impairs the bone structure and hinders ossification, leading to inefficient recovery and potential implant rejection.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a laser beam to ablate the cut surface of the bone, removing the smear layer and debris, thereby promoting faster healing by regenerating the natural bone structure, using a pulsed Erbium laser with precise spot ablation and cooling to minimize collateral damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional osteotomic instruments (saws, drills) are used to cut bone, then the cutting process is efficient and well-established, but the cut surface develops a smear layer and debris that impairs bone structure and delays healing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidbone healing quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful smear layer and debris from the cut surface using a laser ablation process. The laser selectively vaporizes the contaminated surface layer, separating the harmful byproducts from the healthy bone tissue, thereby eliminating the barrier to healing while preserving the efficient cutting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful thermal effect of the laser into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. By controlling the laser parameters, the thermal energy that could potentially damage bone is instead used to precisely ablate and remove the smear layer, transforming a potential harm into the useful function of surface preparation for healing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Loss of time

If the cut surface is left untreated after osteotomy, then the surgical process is completed quickly, but ossification is delayed due to the impaired bone structure at the cut surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical timeVSAvoidhealing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by treating the cut surface immediately after cutting with laser ablation. This preliminary treatment removes the smear layer and prepares the surface in advance, creating optimal conditions for subsequent healing and ossification processes, thereby reducing the overall healing time without adding significant surgical time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If protective measures are taken to protect cut surfaces during recovery, then bone healing is supported, but the medical application or treatment is slowed or interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone healing qualityVSAvoidtreatment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cutting methods with a laser-based system that inherently produces less trauma and requires minimal post-operative protection. The laser ablation process substitutes the mechanical removal of tissue with a thermal vaporization process that creates a cleaner cut surface, reducing the need for protective measures and allowing faster progression to healing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach enhances bone healing by removing the smear layer and debris, allowing for quicker ossification and reducing implant rejection rates, while maintaining the structural integrity of the bone tissue.

Implementation Method 1

delivering a laser beam to the cut surface of the bone such that the cut surface of the bone is ablated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

removing a layer of bone tissue at the cut surface of the bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

using a pulsed Erbium laser with precise spot ablation and cooling to minimize collateral damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy delivery: Heating

Implementation Method 4

using a pulsed Erbium laser with precise spot ablation and cooling to minimize collateral damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS11154359B2Bone cut treatment

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 ADVANCED OSTEOTOMY TOOLS - AOT

AI summary

A method of cutting a bone (2) comprises the steps of: preparing the bone (2) in order to be accessible to an osteotomic instrument; predefining an osteotomic geometry on the bone (2); and applying the osteotomic instrument to the bone (2) thereby cutting the bone (2) along the osteotomic geometry and generating a cut surface (21) to the bone (2). The method further comprises delivering a laser beam to the cut surface (21) of the bone (2) such that the cut surface (21) of the bone (2) is ablated. The method according to the invention allows to improve healing of a bone at its cut surface after being cut by the osteotomic instrument.