Surgical Bur Localized Flute Structure for Exposure and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical burs face challenges in balancing cutting efficiency, stability, working length, and visibility, as enhancements in one region often negatively affect other regions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of localized flute features on surgical burs, which include auxiliary flutes in specific regions to enhance cutting efficiency and stability without compromising other characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the exposure length of the surgical tool is increased to improve visibility and access, then the surgeon can better reach and visualize the surgical site, but the stability of the surgical tool during axial rotation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidtool stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical bur incorporates auxiliary flutes in specific localized regions (distal and/or proximal) rather than uniform flutes throughout. This local differentiation allows the bur to provide enhanced cutting performance in specific areas while maintaining overall structural stability, resolving the contradiction between exposure length and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If auxiliary flutes are added to enhance cutting efficiency in specific regions, then the cutting performance is improved, but the complexity of the surgical bur structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidbur structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical bur is segmented into different functional regions with distinct flute configurations. Main flutes extend along the entire length while auxiliary flutes are positioned in specific segments (distal or proximal regions). This segmentation allows enhanced cutting efficiency in specific areas without requiring complete redesign of the entire bur structure, thus managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Length of moving object

If the shaft length is increased to provide greater exposure, then the working length is extended, but the instability of the surgical tool increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure lengthVSAvoidtool instability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the flutes, specifically adding auxiliary flutes with different orientations and positions compared to main flutes. This parameter modification allows the bur to maintain stability while working with extended exposure lengths, as the localized auxiliary flutes provide structural reinforcement without requiring a shorter shaft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3277203B1Surgical burs with localized auxiliary flutes
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 MEDTRONIC XOMED INC
  • EP3277203B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3277203B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3277203B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A surgical bur including primary flutes (58) and auxiliary flutes (52). The primary flutes include (i) first clearance surfaces (70, 72), and (ii) first rake surfaces (74, 76) with first cutting edges (86). The primary flutes extend from a proximal end (60) of the surgical bur to a distal end (62) of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes are localized in central regions or distal regions of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes include (i) second clearance surfaces (90), and (ii) second rake surfaces (94) with second cutting edges (96). At least one of the auxiliary flutes is located between a pair of adjacent ones of the primary flutes.