Non-Rotational Bone Cutting Tools With Periodic Bidirectional Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical instruments for bone dissection face challenges in minimizing heat damage to surrounding tissues due to high-speed rotation, risk of the drill becoming wrapped in tissue, and ineffective measures to prevent collateral damage.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument employing a mass-spring system for bidirectional alternating rotation of the dissection head, which reduces power input, minimizes tissue wrapping, and allows for precise control over rotational direction and frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed rotation is used for bone drilling, then drilling efficiency is improved, but heat damage to surrounding tissue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidheat damage to tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drill bit rotates in alternating directions (bidirectional rotation) rather than continuous unidirectional rotation. The system periodically reverses the rotation direction after a predetermined number of rotations or time interval, creating a periodic action that prevents tissue from being continuously wrapped around the drill bit while maintaining high cutting efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation system is made dynamic by allowing the drill bit to change its rotation direction during operation. The control unit dynamically adjusts the rotation direction based on predetermined conditions, transforming the static unidirectional rotation into a dynamic bidirectional rotation system that adapts to prevent tissue wrapping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If high-speed rotation is used for bone drilling, then drilling speed is improved, but the drill becomes wrapped in surrounding tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling speedVSAvoidcontrol of drill movement

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drill bit performs periodic bidirectional rotation, alternating between clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation. This periodic reversal prevents the drill bit from becoming wrapped in surrounding tissue by continuously changing the direction of the cutting edges, while maintaining high drilling speed through the alternating motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit monitors the drilling process and automatically adjusts the rotation direction based on feedback from the operation conditions. When tissue wrapping is detected or predicted, the system provides feedback control to reverse the rotation direction, preventing loss of control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If conventional unidirectional rotation is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but tissue wrapping risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation mechanism complexityVSAvoidtissue wrapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic bidirectional rotation using a control unit that manages the rotation direction changes. This adds controlled complexity to the rotation mechanism, enabling the drill bit to alternate between clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation, thereby preventing tissue wrapping while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical bidirectional rotation mechanisms with a control-based system. Instead of using mechanical linkages or cams to achieve bidirectional rotation, the invention uses a control unit to manage the rotation direction changes, simplifying the mechanical structure while achieving the desired bidirectional motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 bidirectional rotation mechanism effectively prevents tissue wrapping and reduces heat damage, enhancing safety and efficiency in bone dissection procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A surgical instrument employing a mass-spring system for bidirectional alternating rotation of the dissection head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMass-spring oscillation: Harmonic Oscillator

Data Source

PatentUS20250268608A1Non-rotational bone cutting tools and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 MEDTRONIC XOMED INC

AI summary

A surgical instrument employs a mass-spring system to drive the periodic reversal of the rotational direction of a bone dissection head. The instrument comprises a housing, a harmonic oscillator contained in the housing, an output member at least partially received in the housing and configured to be driven by the harmonic oscillator to reversibly rotate about a longitudinal axis in alternating directions, a dissection head having an attachment portion configured to be selectively driven in alternating rotational directions by the output member to remove material from a target bone, and a controller operable to initiate and stop the harmonic oscillator.