Bone Denuding Device with Cutting Drum and Impeller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone processing methods for removing non-bone tissue from bone are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and hazardous to healthcare personnel, and lack efficiency and safety in a sterile environment.

Innovation Solution

A bone denuding device with a cutting drum and impeller, coupled to a power source, is used to separate non-bone tissue such as muscle, periosteum, and connective tissue from bone, followed by a bone milling process to produce morselized bone particles, enhancing efficiency and safety through automated and sterile processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If hand removal of non-bone tissue using a scalpel is used, then the bone can be prepared for morselizing, but the process is time-consuming (approximately 45 minutes) and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone preparationVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (hand-held scalpel) with an automated mechanical system (bone denuding device with motor-driven cutting drum and impeller). This substitution eliminates the need for manual labor while significantly reducing processing time from 45 minutes to a much shorter automated cycle, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The bone denuding device is designed to automatically perform the tissue removal function without requiring continuous manual intervention. The device feeds bone into the cutting mechanism, automatically removes non-bone tissue, and produces denuded bone ready for morselizing, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating the time-consuming manual process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If hand removal of non-bone tissue using a scalpel is used, then the bone can be prepared for morselizing, but operator fatigue and possible injury occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone preparationVSAvoidoperator injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated bone denuding device acts as an intermediary between the bone material and the final morselized product, eliminating the need for direct human contact with hazardous cutting operations. The device shields operators from injury risks by performing the dangerous tissue removal function mechanically without human hands in the hazard zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated bone denuding device with cutting drum and impeller is used, then processing time is reduced and safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone processing efficiencyVSAvoiddenuding device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bone processing system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the bone denuding device (with cutting drum and impeller) as one module, and the bone milling device as another module. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together in sequence, managing overall system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone denuding device is designed with universal components that serve multiple functions: the cutting drum both rotates to cut tissue and is driven by the impeller, the impeller both agitates the bone material and drives the cutting action, and the housing contains both the cutting mechanism and the collection chamber. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, managing device complexity while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution significantly reduces processing time, minimizes operator fatigue and injury risks, and ensures efficient and safe production of morselized bone particles for medical procedures, improving the overall bone processing efficiency and sterility.

Implementation Method 1

The impeller is rotated with the power source to urge the bone against the cutting surface to remove the tissue from the bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a cutting drum having a cutting surface and an impeller positioned within the cutting drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS12064357B2System and method of bone processing

Publication Date: 2024.08.20 MEDTRONIC XOMED INC

AI summary

A system and method of processing bone is disclosed. A tissue separator is utilized to separate tissue comprising at least one of muscle, periosteum and connective tissue from bone in a safe, sterile and efficient manner. In one aspect, the particle reducer can include an impeller positioned with respect to a cutting surface on a drum. At least one of the impeller and the drum is rotated by a power source such that harvested tissue frictionally engages the cutting surface. In another aspect, a source of pressurized fluid can be directed at tissue to separate bone from non-bone tissue.