Oscillating Morcellator Blade Reduces Tissue Damage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical morcellators often damage cutting blades during tissue manipulation, reducing their effectiveness and lifespan, especially during procedures like laparoscopic hysterectomies where bulk tissue removal is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A morcellator design featuring an elongated tube with oscillating mechanisms, including electrically coupled electrodes and a cam-based or magnetically driven oscillation system, which cuts tissue by skiving along its surface rather than plunging, minimizing blade damage and facilitating efficient tissue segmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional morcellators are used to manipulate and cut tissue, then tissue segmentation is achieved, but cutting blades are damaged during manipulation, reducing their effectiveness and lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an oscillating cutting blade that vibrates at high frequency to cut tissue. The blade oscillates back and forth within a confined space, allowing continuous cutting action without manual repositioning. This vibration-based cutting mechanism reduces blade damage compared to conventional static blades that require manual manipulation and repositioning, thereby extending blade lifespan while maintaining segmentation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tissue entrapment device as an intermediary between the surgeon's manipulation and the cutting blade. The entrapment device grasps and holds the tissue steady, allowing the oscillating blade to cut without direct manipulation that would cause blade damage. This mediator protects the blade while enabling effective tissue segmentation
2Ease of operation
If tissue is morcellated into small pieces, then removal through small incisions is facilitated, but more extraction steps are required and cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different cutting strategies at different locations of the tissue mass. The oscillating blade initially creates larger segments from the outer portions of the tissue, which can be removed quickly. Then smaller pieces are morcellated from the remaining core. This localized approach optimizes both extraction ease and minimizes the number of steps required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a combination of partial morcellation (creating some small pieces) and selective removal of larger segments. Rather than completely morcellating the entire tissue mass into small pieces, the system performs partial action by removing larger segments first, reducing the overall number of extraction steps while still facilitating removal through access ports
3Productivity
If repetitive coreing into the bulk of the uterus is performed, then tissue removal is achieved, but blade damage occurs and tool lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating blade vibrates continuously during bulk tissue removal, allowing aggressive cutting into the tissue bulk without the blade becoming dull or damaged. The vibration prevents the blade from binding or sticking in the tissue, enabling repetitive coreing actions while preserving blade sharpness and extending tool lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating blade performs continuous cutting action without interruption or repositioning. The blade oscillates continuously within the tissue bulk, maintaining constant cutting engagement. This continuous useful action eliminates the repeated insertion and withdrawal cycles of conventional tools, reducing blade damage and extending tool lifespan while efficiently removing bulk tissue
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 morcellator effectively reduces blade damage and enhances tissue removal efficiency by allowing for large tissue segments to be extracted in fewer steps, minimizing cross-contamination risks and extending the tool's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The first electrode is electrically coupled to an energy source. A first element of the second electrode extends distal to the first electrode. The second electrode is configured to couple to the energy source.
Implementation Method 2
energizing first and second electrodes of the morcellator to conduct energy between the electrodes and through tissue disposed therebetween to morcellate tissue
Implementation Method 3
The oscillating mechanism is configured to drive oscillation of the elongated tube about the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 4
The oscillating mechanism can include a motor, a disc shaped cam, and a connecting member. The cam includes a distally extending cam pin affixed near the outer circumference of the cam. The connecting member includes a cam slot that is configured to receive the cam pin.
Data Source
AI summary
A morcellator includes a housing, an elongated tube extending distally from the housing, and first and second electrodes. A distal end of the elongated tube is configured to cut tissue. The first electrode extends from the housing to the distal end of the elongated tube and is disposed around at least a portion of the distal end of the elongated tube. The second electrode extends distally beyond the first electrode. Another morcellator includes a housing, an elongated tube extending distally from the housing, and an oscillating mechanism. A distal end of the elongated tube includes opposing blade sections and at least one blunt section. The opposing blade sections are configured to cut tissue. The oscillating mechanism is configured to drive oscillation of the elongated tube to cut tissue with the blade sections.