Laser Sternotome With Rib Cage Mounting And Auto-Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical cutting devices for the sternum, such as mechanical osteotomes and conventional laser osteotomes, are either costly or too large for many facilities, necessitating a more cost-efficient and compact solution for precise and reliable cutting of thick bones like the sternum.
Innovation Solution
A cutting device comprising a laser source, a beam adjusting structure, and a support with a mounting structure to fix to the rib cage, featuring a correction arrangement to maintain precise alignment and a drive unit for automatic movement along predefined geometries, utilizing pulsed laser beams and debris removal systems for efficient and accurate cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a robot arm with laser head is used for precise bone cutting, then cutting precision and gentleness are improved, but device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the laser cutting function from the complex robot arm system and integrates it into a compact surgical device with a laser source directly mounted on a surgical instrument holder, eliminating the need for large robotic arms while maintaining cutting precision through direct surgical control
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical device combines multiple functions including laser generation, beam delivery, surgical instrument holding, and positioning capabilities into a single integrated system that can perform both precise cutting and standard surgical operations
2Manufacturing precision
If a robot arm with laser head is used for precise bone cutting, then cutting precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive robot arm component from the system and replaces it with a cost-effective integrated laser surgical device that achieves precision through optical guidance and surgical technique rather than complex robotic control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs disposable or easily replaceable components such as optical fibers for beam delivery and standardized surgical instrument holders that can be sterilized or replaced, reducing overall system cost while maintaining precision
3Device complexity
If mechanical osteotomic instruments are used for cutting bone, then device simplicity is maintained, but collateral damage and surface damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cutting instruments with a laser-based cutting system that uses photothermal ablation to remove bone tissue without mechanical contact, eliminating friction-induced surface damage and reducing collateral mechanical stress to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The laser system uses controlled pulsed laser parameters including wavelength, pulse duration, and energy density to achieve precise ablation of bone tissue while minimizing heat diffusion to surrounding healthy tissue, thereby reducing collateral thermal damage
4Manufacturing precision
If laser cutting is used for thick and strong bones, then cutting precision and gentleness are improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam delivery system is segmented into modular components including a compact laser source, flexible optical fiber for beam transmission, and a detachable surgical instrument holder, allowing the system to be configured in a space-efficient manner while maintaining full cutting capability for thick bones
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible optical fibers to deliver the laser beam along curved paths and through narrow surgical access points, enabling precise cutting of thick bones through minimally invasive approaches that reduce the need for large device components
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 device enables precise, reliable, and efficient cutting of the sternum with minimal collateral damage, maintaining the trabecular structure and allowing for complex geometries, while being cost-effective and compact enough for various medical facilities.
Implementation Method 1
The laser beam then hits the bone and continuously ablates the bone tissue until the predefined cutting geometry is generated
Implementation Method 2
a spray to cool and humidify the tissue around the laser beam-bone contact area
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting device for cutting a sternum of a patient comprises a laser source, a beam adjusting structure, a support and a correction arrangement. The laser source is adapted to generate a cut laser beam. The beam adjusting structure is arranged for directing the laser beam along a predefined cut geometry at the sternum. The support carries the laser source. The support has a mounting structure adapted to be fixed to a rib cage of the patient such that the laser source is in a predefined position with respect to the sternum. The correction arrangement is adapted to automatically identify a movement of the laser source relative to the sternum causing the cut laser beam to deviate from the predefined cut geometry and adjust the position of the laser source relative to the sternum to correct the deviation of the cut laser beam with respect to the predefined cut geometry.