Microscale Shredding Tool With Interlaced Blades For Tissue Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for tissue removal, particularly in minimally invasive procedures, face challenges with large dimensions, inefficiency, and risk of damaging unintended tissue, necessitating the development of smaller, more precise devices with improved functionality for safe and efficient tissue removal.
Innovation Solution
A microscale or millimeter-scale shredding tool with multi-blade stacks and gear trains formed using multi-material, multi-layer electrochemical fabrication, allowing for precise tissue processing and reduced risk of damage to adjacent tissue, featuring interlaced blades and multitiered gears for enhanced precision and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional tissue removal devices are used, then tissue removal function is provided, but device dimensions are large and risk of damaging unintended tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional components including a catheter for delivery, a shredding tool with multiple blades for tissue processing, and a retrieval basket for removing shredded tissue. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall device compactness for minimally invasive delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The shredding tool with blades and gear mechanism is nested within the catheter assembly, which itself is delivered through the introducer. The compact nested structure enables the complex shredding functionality to be delivered through a small access point while maintaining the required functional dimensions
2Productivity
If conventional tissue removal devices are used, then tissue removal is performed, but efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shredding tool employs rotatable blades driven by a gear mechanism that can be actuated during the procedure. This dynamic capability allows the blades to rotate and shred tissue efficiently, transforming the device from a static structure to an active tissue-processing tool that significantly improves removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The gear mechanism provides periodic rotational motion to the blades, creating a rhythm of tissue engagement and shredding. This periodic action enhances the efficiency of tissue breakdown compared to static or continuous motion designs
3Manufacturing precision
If miniaturized shredding tool is implemented, then precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple components including the blades, gear mechanism, and structural elements are combined into a single integrated shredding tool assembly that can be delivered through the catheter. This merging reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps and assemblies required, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes specific dimensional parameters and material properties that enable miniaturization while maintaining functional precision. By carefully selecting and optimizing these parameters, the device achieves high precision in a miniaturized form factor without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity
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 enables safer and more efficient tissue removal with reduced risk of damaging unintended tissue, achieving improved precision and functionality in minimally invasive procedures by utilizing a microscale shredding tool with interlaced blades and multitiered gears, facilitating effective shredding and processing of tissue.
Implementation Method 1
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Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to the field of micro-scale or millimeter scale devices and to the use of multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods for producing such devices with particular embodiments relate to shredding devices and more particularly to shredding devices for use in medical applications. In some embodiments, tissue removal devices are used in procedures to removal spinal tissue and in other embodiments, similar devices are used to remove thrombus from blood vessel.