Multi-blade Dermatome Assembly with Throughgoing Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dermatomes face interference issues with drive pins blocking the passage of multiple skin grafts during the cutting process, particularly when harvesting laminated skin grafts at different depths.
Innovation Solution
A dermatome blade assembly with multiple blades connected to a single blade carrier, featuring throughgoing apertures and blade connecting means, allowing for simultaneous cutting of skin grafts at different depths while accommodating the drive pin, and adjustable spacer elements to control graft thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single blade is used in conventional dermatomes, then the drive pin can be positioned in the center without interference, but multiple skin grafts cannot be harvested simultaneously at different depths
Solution Approach 1:
The single blade is segmented into multiple blades (first blade, second blade, and optionally third blade) arranged at different positions and depths. Each blade can independently cut skin grafts at different depths, enabling simultaneous harvesting of multiple skin grafts without the drive pin blocking the passage of all grafts.
Solution Approach 2:
The blades are arranged in multiple dimensions including vertical stacking (different depths) and horizontal positioning (different lateral locations). This multi-dimensional arrangement allows skin grafts to pass through different spatial paths, avoiding interference from the centrally positioned drive pin while enabling simultaneous cutting at multiple depths.
2Reliability
If multiple blades are introduced to harvest laminated grafts, then healing potential and mechanical properties improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple blades are merged onto a single blade carrier that is driven by a single drive pin. The blade carrier integrates the first blade, second blade, and optional third blade, allowing them to be driven simultaneously by one oscillating drive pin. This merging approach enables multiple skin grafts to be harvested at different depths while avoiding the need for separate drive mechanisms for each blade, thus managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade carrier serves multiple functions: it holds multiple blades at different positions and orientations, transmits oscillating motion from the drive pin to all blades simultaneously, and allows adjustment of blade depths and angles. This multi-functionality enables the single blade carrier to manage the complexity of multiple blades while achieving improved healing potential through laminated graft harvesting.
3Productivity
If blades are positioned to cut at different depths, then laminated grafts can be harvested, but precise control of graft thickness becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each blade is configured with specific local properties including different cutting depths, orientations, and positions. The first blade, second blade, and optional third blade are each optimized for cutting at specific depths to create laminated grafts of different thicknesses. This local quality differentiation enables precise control of individual graft thicknesses while maintaining efficient simultaneous harvesting.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic modification of blade positions, depths, and angles during operation. The blade carrier and individual blades can be adjusted to optimize cutting depths and orientations for different skin thicknesses and graft requirements, enabling precise thickness control while maintaining the productivity benefits of simultaneous multi-depth harvesting.
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
Enables efficient and reliable harvesting of laminated skin grafts with improved mechanical properties and healing potential, reducing healing issues and scarring at the donor site.
Implementation Method 1
a blade carrier including a main body extending in a transverse direction and means for connecting each of the at least two blades to the blade carrier; wherein the blade carrier comprises a recess arranged to receive a drive pin of a dermatome such that oscillating motion of the drive pin causes reciprocating motion of the dermatome blade assembly
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dermatome blade assembly (100; 200), comprising: at least two blades (120, 150; 220, 250), each including a cutting edge (122, 152; 222, 252), a rear edge (124, 154; 224, 254) spaced from the cutting edge, and two side edges (126, 128, 156, 158; 226, 228, 256, 258)joining the cutting edge and the rear edge, wherein at least one of the blades comprises at least one throughgoing aperture (121, 151; 221, 251); and a blade carrier (110; 210)including a main body (111; 211) extending in a transverse direction and means for connecting each of the at least two blades to the blade carrier; wherein the blade carrier comprises a recess (112; 212) arranged to receive a drive pin of a dermatome such that oscillating motion of the drive pin causes reciprocating motion of the dermatome blade assembly.