Curette With Integrated Suction And Irrigation Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices and methods for extracting cannulated surgical screws from biological tissue, such as bone, are inefficient and often damage surrounding healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A device combining a curette for scraping and dislodging infected tissue with suction and irrigation means, allowing for the nondestructive removal of infected tissue and cannulated screws from surgical sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing extraction devices are used to remove cannulated screws from biological tissue, then the screws can be extracted, but surrounding healthy tissue is damaged and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the extraction process into distinct functional stages: irrigation to flush the site, suction to remove debris and infected tissue, and curette scraping to remove remaining material. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently, improving overall efficiency while minimizing damage to healthy tissue through controlled, staged removal rather than aggressive single-action extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces irrigation fluid as an intermediary substance that facilitates the extraction process. The fluid flows through channels in the handle body and curette to irrigate the surgical site, loosening and flushing infected tissue and screw fragments before suction removal. This intermediary fluid enables gentler, more controlled extraction compared to direct mechanical removal, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue
2Speed
If aggressive extraction methods are used to remove infected tissue, then removal speed increases, but the risk of damaging adjacent healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs hydraulic principles by using irrigation fluid flow to facilitate tissue removal. Fluid is pumped through channels in the handle body and curette to irrigate the surgical site, creating a flushing action that removes infected tissue and debris without requiring aggressive mechanical scraping. The suction component then removes the flushed material, achieving efficient removal while the fluid-mediated process protects adjacent healthy tissue from mechanical damage
3Reliability
If multiple separate tools are used for tissue scraping and suction, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the surgical process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated instrument. The handle body incorporates both irrigation channels and suction channels, and the curette is designed with integrated scraping edges and suction openings. This combination allows the surgeon to perform tissue scraping, irrigation, and suction removal with one tool, simplifying the surgical process and reducing the time required to switch between multiple separate tools while maintaining the functional optimization of each component
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
Enables the efficient and minimally invasive removal of infected tissue and screws, reducing the risk of damaging adjacent healthy tissue and simplifying the surgical process.
Implementation Method 1
applying a negative pressure to the eighth opening to evacuate the liquid suspension from the infected site
Implementation Method 2
flowing an irrigation liquid out of the seventh opening to create a liquid suspension of the dislodged tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A device for removing infected tissue from a patient is provided. The device includes a handle body attached to a curette. The handle body comprises first and second channels extending therethrough. The curette comprises third and fourth channels extending therethrough. The first and third channels are disposed in fluid communication. The second and fourth channels are disposed in fluid communication. The curette comprises a generally cup-shaped curette head having a scraping edge at one end. The third and fourth channels comprise openings disposed proximate or within the curette head. Methods of using the device to remove infected tissue from a patient are disclosed.