Reciprocating Drive System for Uterine Tissue Resection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing uterine tissue resection tools have limited effectiveness in cutting intrauterine tissue due to inadequate drive mechanisms, which hinder high mobility and efficient tissue removal.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating drive system for a cutting tube that includes a power source, a motor, a drive shaft, spur gears, a worm, and a crank mechanism, allowing for simultaneous rotation and longitudinal translation of the cutting tube within the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing drive mechanisms are used for uterine tissue resection tools, then device complexity is reduced, but cutting effectiveness and tissue removal efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drive functions (rotation and reciprocation) into a single integrated drive shaft that performs both cutting and tissue removal actions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate drive mechanisms and improving cutting effectiveness while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft serves multiple functions: it rotates the cutting element, reciprocates the cutting tube, and provides mechanical advantage for tissue removal. This multi-functionality improves productivity by consolidating operations that would otherwise require separate mechanisms
2Productivity
If high mobility drive mechanisms are implemented, then tissue removal efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including a rotating drive shaft with eccentric mounting of the cutting tube, creating reciprocating motion through rotational dynamics. This dynamic approach enables high mobility for tissue removal while using proven mechanical principles to control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting tube performs periodic reciprocating motion (in and out) driven by the rotating drive shaft, creating efficient tissue removal cycles. This periodic action improves productivity by systematically advancing through tissue removal while maintaining a relatively simple continuous rotation drive mechanism
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 drive system enhances the cutting efficiency and mobility of the cutting instrument, enabling effective removal of uterine tissue such as polyps and fibroids, while also facilitating in-office use and reducing capital costs.
Implementation Method 1
a motor connected to the power source and having a drive shaft extending therefrom
Implementation Method 2
a first spur gear attached to the drive shaft, a worm connected to the drive shaft, a cutting tube adjacent the drive shaft and parallel thereto, a second spur gear surrounding the cutting tube and meshed with the first spur gear
Implementation Method 3
a worm gear positioned under the worm and meshed therewith such that rotation of the worm around a first axis results in rotation of the worm gear around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis
Implementation Method 4
a crank attached at one end to the worm gear and at a second end to a collar attached to the cutting tube. Rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the cutting tube via the first and second spur gears and simultaneously causes reciprocating translation of the cutting tube along a longitudinal axis thereof
Implementation Method 5
The tissue to be resected is drawn into a window formed in the side of the shaft by applying suction to a second lumen that extends through the cutting tube
Data Source
AI summary
A drive system for a tissue resection device that drives a cutting tube in a rotating and reciprocating motion simultaneously. The cutting tube moves within an outer tube having a window at a distal end thereof. When activation of the device ceases, the device remains powered until the cutting tube assumes an extended position, thereby closing the window.