Cartilage Dicing Blade Assembly for Uniform Graft Preparation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The labor-intensive and time-consuming process of manually dicing cartilage for rhinoplasty procedures using a scalpel discourages surgeons from adopting the dicing technique, leading to inconsistent dice sizes and potential postoperative complications.

Innovation Solution

A device with a blade assembly and housing configuration that includes rotating blades with O-rings and anchors to prevent tissue entry, allowing for uniform dicing of cartilage while protecting the user's hand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual dicing with a scalpel is used, then tissue can be cut, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedicing speedVSAvoidmanual effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the cutting function into multiple rotating blades arranged in a circular pattern, allowing simultaneous cutting of multiple cartilage pieces at once. This segmentation of the cutting task dramatically increases productivity compared to manual scalpel work while reducing the manual effort required from the surgeon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blades are designed to rotate dynamically during operation, enabling continuous cutting action rather than static manual strokes. This dynamic cutting mechanism significantly improves dicing speed and reduces the time required to prepare cartilage grafts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If manual dicing is performed, then cartilage can be diced, but the process adds up to two hours to procedure time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure efficiencyVSAvoiddicing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the cutting function into multiple rotating blades that can simultaneously process multiple cartilage pieces, the device reduces the total dicing time from up to two hours to a fraction of that time, significantly improving procedure efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating blades provide continuous cutting action as cartilage is fed through the device, eliminating the intermittent nature of manual scalpel work. This continuous processing dramatically reduces the time required to dice cartilage while maintaining consistent piece size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If manual dicing is used, then cartilage can be shaped, but the shape is inconsistent and uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedice size uniformityVSAvoidsurgeon attention required

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating blades provide consistent, controlled cutting motion that produces uniform dice sizes. The dynamic rotation ensures that each piece of cartilage receives consistent cutting pressure and angle, eliminating the variability inherent in manual scalpel work while requiring minimal surgeon attention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device controls cutting parameters such as blade speed, pressure, and angle to produce consistent dice sizes. By standardizing these parameters through the rotating blade mechanism, the device achieves manufacturing precision that is difficult to maintain with manual techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If a blade assembly is used, then cutting efficiency is improved, but tissue may enter the cutting apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting speedVSAvoidtissue contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A mesh screen is introduced as an intermediary component between the blade assembly and the interior of the device. This screen allows diced cartilage pieces to pass through while blocking larger tissue fragments from entering the cutting apparatus, thus preventing contamination while maintaining cutting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh screen acts as a thin film barrier that selectively allows diced cartilage to pass through while blocking larger tissue pieces. This flexible barrier protects the interior of the device from contamination while maintaining the productivity benefits of the blade assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12558115B2Mechanism for dicing cartilage

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A cartilage dicing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes blades disposed in a housing configured to mitigate entry of the cartilage into the housing of the device. The device includes a number of circular blades used to dice the cartilage in a uniform fashion. The blades are disposed in a housing with a base that prevents the tissue from entering the body of the housing, which ensures that more of the tissue is available to be diced and used in a medical procedure. The blades are spaced at uniform distance.