Double Bevel Surgical Knife Tip Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior surgical knives used in electrosurgical procedures often experience premature dulling of the cutting edge due to design and manufacturing issues, leading to ineffective cutting of tissue, especially after repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A surgical knife with a robust double bevel cutting edge profile is designed, featuring a specific cutting edge tip radius and angle, along with a varying web thickness profile, made from materials like stainless steel or titanium, and processed using techniques such as grinding, stamping, and electro-polishing to maintain sharpness and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a surgical knife is designed with a simple cutting edge, then it is easy to manufacture, but the cutting edge yields prematurely and becomes dull
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the cutting edge tip radius (0.000008-0.000015 inches) and cutting edge angle (28-36 degrees) to optimize both manufacturability and cutting performance. This specific parameter range maintains sharpness over repeated use while remaining feasible to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating a varying web thickness profile along the cutting edge, with specific thickness ranges (0.0012-0.0018 inches at 0.003 inches from tip) that provide localized strength where needed while maintaining overall ease of manufacture
2Productivity
If a surgical knife is used for repeated cutting operations, then productivity increases, but the cutting edge becomes dull and ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to extend the functional life of the cutting edge through repeated operations. The optimized tip radius (0.000008-0.000015 inches) and angle (28-36 degrees) prevent premature dulling, enabling multiple cutting repetitions while maintaining sharpness and surgical effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the cutting edge with optimal geometric parameters and material properties before use. The varying web thickness profile and precise tip geometry are established during manufacturing to prevent future dulling during repeated surgical operations
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 knife maintains sufficient sharpness and strength over multiple uses, effectively cutting both treated and untreated tissue, reducing the need for frequent replacements and improving surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The knife material may be heat treated or coated from a vapor deposition process
Implementation Method 2
The knife material may be heat treated or coated from a vapor deposition process
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices are described for the design and manufacturing of a knife with a robust double bevel cutting edge profile for use in surgical procedures. The double bevel cutting edge profile may be defined by a combination of a cutting edge angle and a radius of the cutting edge tip. In some embodiments, the cutting edge profile may be defined by a combination of a web thickness profile and a radius of the cutting edge tip. Numerical ranges are identified for each of the various geometric parameters which may define a cutting edge that provides sufficient knife sharpness over many cutting repetitions. In some embodiments a medical device, which implements a knife with a cutting edge, for use in surgical procedures is described.