Powered Disc Shaving Instrument with Oscillating Cutting Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manual instruments for removing intervertebral disc material are time-consuming and prone to damaging surrounding structures due to their limited precision and inability to effectively cut the disparate materials found in intervertebral discs, which are soft and tough in nature.
Innovation Solution
A surgical shaving instrument with an elongated outer and inner tubular member, where the inner tubular member is coaxially disposed within the outer, forming a cutting tip with teeth that rotates within a cutting window, allowing for precise shearing and aspiration of disc material, coupled with an irrigation mechanism for cleanliness and lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual instruments are used to remove intervertebral disc material, then the procedure can be performed with simple devices, but the procedure becomes overly time consuming and requires multiple instruments to be passed in and out of the surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manual instruments into a single integrated powered instrument that can perform cutting, shaving, and removal of disc material through one insertion site. The powered instrument integrates a cutting blade, shaving mechanism, and aspiration capability, eliminating the need to pass multiple separate instruments in and out of the surgical site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical instruments with a powered instrument that uses motorized rotation and oscillation to perform cutting and shaving operations. This substitution allows for more efficient material removal while maintaining precision through controlled mechanical motion driven by a power source.
2Device complexity
If manual instruments are used for disc material removal, then the devices remain simple and controllable, but the chance of damage to sensitive structures adjacent to the spine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cutting blade with varying tooth configurations along its length, where different sections have different cutting characteristics optimized for specific tasks. The blade features sharper teeth for cutting tougher annulus tissue and finer teeth for shaving softer nucleus material, allowing precise control over the cutting action at different locations within the disc.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered instrument incorporates aspiration capability that provides real-time feedback by suctioning away cut material and irrigation fluid. This allows the surgeon to continuously monitor the cutting process and tissue consistency, enabling immediate adjustment of cutting parameters to prevent damage to surrounding structures.
3Productivity
If available powered instruments are used for cutting intervertebral disc material, then cutting speed is improved, but the ability to deftly shave only targeted bodily structures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cutting blade that can oscillate or rotate at controlled speeds while maintaining the ability to be precisely positioned and directed. The powered mechanism allows for dynamic adjustment of cutting speed and motion pattern, enabling both rapid material removal and delicate shaving operations depending on the surgical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting blade is segmented into multiple teeth with different geometries arranged along its circumference. This segmentation allows different portions of the blade to perform different functions - some teeth for aggressive cutting, others for fine shaving - enabling the instrument to handle both rapid material removal and precise contouring operations.
4Productivity
If available powered instruments are used, then cutting capability is enhanced, but the ability to adequately cut the disparate bodily materials (in terms of hardness and toughness) typically presented by an intervertebral disc is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade features teeth with varying properties along its length - sharper, more aggressive teeth for cutting the tougher annulus fibrosis, and finer, more delicate teeth for shaving the softer nucleus pulposus. This local variation in tooth characteristics allows the single instrument to effectively cut both hard and soft disc materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered instrument allows for adjustment of cutting parameters such as rotation speed, oscillation amplitude, and blade position to match the mechanical properties of different disc materials. By changing these parameters, the instrument can optimize its cutting action for both tough and soft tissues.
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 instrument enables efficient and precise removal of intervertebral disc material, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures by effectively cutting through the varied hardness and toughness of disc materials, while maintaining control and safety during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Contacted bodily material is, as a result, sheared between the edge of the cutting window and the teeth of the cutting tip
Implementation Method 2
the sheared material is aspirated through the inner tubular member's lumen via the mouth
Implementation Method 3
an irrigation mechanism fluidly connected to the bodily material shaving head, with the method further including irrigating the material shaving head while shearing tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Instrument and method for removing material from an intervertebral disc. The instrument includes outer and inner tubular members. The outer tubular member defines a passage and a cutting window. The inner tubular member is coaxially disposed within the passage, and defines a central lumen and a cutting tip. The cutting tip forms an open mouth having a plurality of teeth. Upon assembly, the cutting tip is exposed within the cutting window combining to define a shaving head. A powered handpiece is coupled to the inner tubular member, and the shaving head is inserted into an intervertebral disc and positioned such that the cutting tip contacts targeted material (e.g., nucleus, annulus and/or end plate). The handpiece is activated to rotate the cutting tip relative to the cutting window. Contacted material is sheared between an edge of the cutting window and the teeth of the cutting tip.