Disposable Morcellator Pistol-Grip Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing morcellators in gynecologic and urologic surgery are cumbersome, require extensive sterilization and cleaning, and pose safety risks due to complex parts and external power sources, leading to increased labor costs and procedural interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A fully integrated, one-piece, disposable morcellator with a pistol-grip design, powered by an alkaline battery and featuring a toothed wheel mechanism, allowing for safe, ergonomic, and efficient tissue removal without the need for separate components or external power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a driven rotating cutting tube is used to morcellate tissue, then tissue can be effectively cut and removed, but the device becomes cumbersome and requires external power sources that complicate the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the motor, cutting tube, and control mechanisms into a single unified hand-piece assembly. The motor is positioned within the hand-piece housing and directly drives the cutting tube through a gear mechanism, eliminating the need for external power sources and complex cable connections. This merging of components resolves the contradiction by maintaining tissue removal efficiency while dramatically simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gear box as an intermediary mechanism between the motor and the cutting tube. The gear box transfers and modifies the rotational motion from the motor to the cutting tube, enabling effective tissue cutting while keeping the motor and cutting tube as separate but integrated components within the hand-piece. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to achieve both cutting effectiveness and structural simplification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used in the morcellator, then functional capabilities can be enhanced, but sterilization and cleaning time increases labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (motor, cutting tube, gear box, control mechanisms) into a single integrated hand-piece assembly that is designed as a disposable unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate sterilization and cleaning of multiple components, as the entire assembly is discarded after use. The functional capabilities are maintained through the integrated design, resolving the contradiction between versatility and sterilization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a disposable hand-piece design where the entire morcellator assembly is intended for single use and then discarded. This approach eliminates the time-consuming sterilization and cleaning processes entirely, as each new procedure uses a fresh, sterile, disposable unit. The disposable nature of the device maintains full functional capability while completely eliminating the labor costs and time associated with sterilization and cleaning.
3Power
If an external power supply with cable is used, then the motor can be powered, but the cable may become tangled and compromise surgeon control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the power source (battery) directly into the hand-piece housing, merging the power supply with the operational components. This integration eliminates the external cable connection entirely, allowing the surgeon to manipulate the hand-piece without any tethering or tangling issues. The motor receives power internally from the battery, resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient motor power and maintaining ease of operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If reusable components are used, then cost can be reduced, but extensive cleaning and sterilization is required after each use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a disposable strategy where the hand-piece and its components are manufactured at low cost specifically for single-use. By designing the components to be inexpensive and intended for disposal, the system eliminates all sterilization and cleaning labor costs. The low manufacturing cost of each disposable unit offsets the lack of reusability, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and labor cost.
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 provides a safer, more ergonomic, and easier-to-use morcellator that eliminates the need for sterilization and reduces procedural interruptions, enhancing surgical efficiency and safety with its compact, single-use design.
Implementation Method 1
powered by an alkaline battery
Implementation Method 2
featuring a toothed wheel mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A single use morcellator utilizes a disposable housing, cutting tube, battery and motor in combination with an attached and adjustable trocar to enable the surgeon to selectively utilize the cutting edge of the tube. The battery and control circuit are completely contained within the integral morcellator such that no separate components are needed.