Automated Ring Cutter Guard Control for Safe Ring Transection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing stuck rings from swollen appendages, such as fingers or toes, can be time-consuming and risk causing injury or discomfort to the patient.

Innovation Solution

A ring cutter device equipped with a blade motor, a circular blade, a guard, and a guard actuator, controlled by processors that adjust the blade speed and guard movement based on electrical current and temperature readings, to safely transect the ring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual removal methods (ring cutter or string method) are used, then the ring can be removed from the swollen appendage, but the process is time-consuming and risks causing injury or discomfort to the patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvering removal speedVSAvoidinjury risk to patient

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cutting methods with an automated robotic system that uses controlled mechanical forces. The robotic device substitutes human-operated ring cutters with programmable actuators that apply precise, controlled forces to cut the ring and remove it from the appendage, eliminating the time-consuming and injury-risking manual processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic device is designed to autonomously perform the ring removal task without requiring continuous human intervention. The system self-regulates the cutting process, guard positioning, and ring removal through automated control algorithms, allowing the device to service itself during the procedure and reducing human exposure to injury risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If automated control systems with sensors are added to control blade speed and guard movement, then the safety and precision of ring cutting is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting safetyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control systems that use sensors to monitor blade position, guard movement, and cutting progress in real-time. The control system continuously receives feedback from these sensors and automatically adjusts blade speed and guard positioning to maintain optimal cutting conditions, ensuring safety while managing complexity through closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic device integrates multiple functions into a single unified system: the same robotic manipulator that positions the guard also controls the blade, and the control system handles both cutting operations and safety monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12208456B2Method of medical treatment for transecting a ring trapped on an appendage of a patient

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 RING RESCUE INCORPORATED

AI summary

A method of medical treatment for transecting a ring trapped on an appendage of a patient is described. The method of medical treatment includes inserting a safety guard between the appendage and a portion of the ring, activating a blade motor to rotate a rotary blade aligned with the safety guard, sensing status readings, and transecting the portion of the ring including automatically directing a safety guard actuator to move the safety guard, based at least in part on the status readings, toward the rotary blade thereby urging the ring into contact with the rotary blade.