Rotary Disk Knife Dermatome Depth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dermatomes, both manual and power-operated, face challenges in achieving consistent skin tissue thickness, are prone to operator fatigue, and require complex control over angle, speed, and pressure, making it difficult to remove uniform layers of skin tissue, especially in tight spaces and around bony prominences, often necessitating additional assistance.

Innovation Solution

A power-operated dermatome with an annular rotary knife blade and an axially adjustable depth gauge, allowing for precise control of skin tissue thickness and facilitating easier maneuverability by moving the blade towards the operator, reducing operator fatigue and eliminating the need for counter-traction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a reciprocating cutting blade is used in prior power operated dermatomes, then the dermatome can remove skin tissue, but the operator must move the dermatome away from their body which is less natural and less precise, and blocks the view of the skin tissue being excised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenaturalness and precision of operator movementVSAvoidvisibility of skin tissue being excised

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the cutting direction by using a rotary knife blade that rotates in the opposite direction compared to prior reciprocating blades. This allows the operator to move the dermatome toward their body instead of away, improving naturalness and precision of movement while also clearing the view of the skin tissue being excised

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If manual dermatomes are used, then the structure is simple, but the operator experiences fatigue and difficulty in removing large sections of skin tissue requiring multiple sections to be removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of dermatome structureVSAvoidefficiency of skin tissue removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system with a power-operated rotary knife blade system. The rotary blade is driven by a motor, eliminating the need for manual reciprocating motion and significantly reducing operator fatigue while increasing productivity for removing large sections of skin tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If prior power operated dermatomes with forward-facing blades are used, then the cutting action is effective, but the dermatome position blocks the area of skin tissue being excised from the operator's view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting effectivenessVSAvoidoperator visibility of skin tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the blade orientation and rotation direction so that the rotary knife blade rotates toward the operator rather than away. This inversion maintains effective cutting action while repositioning the blade so it does not block the operator's view of the skin tissue being excised

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Manufacturing precision

If manual dermatomes require careful control of angle of cut, speed, and pressure, then the operator can achieve depth control, but the skill requirement is high and consistency is difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of skin tissue thicknessVSAvoidskill requirement for operator

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual control system with a power-operated rotary blade system that maintains consistent rotational speed through motor control. The rotary mechanism inherently provides more consistent cutting depth and angle compared to manual reciprocating motion, reducing the skill requirement while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9186171B2Power operated debridement tool with disk knife blade

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 EXSURCO MEDICAL

AI summary

A hand-held, power operated debridement tool (2000) includes a rotary disk knife blade (2300) with a cutting edge (2360) on an outer peripheral edge (2362) of the knife blade, the cutting edge defining a cutting plane (CP) of the disk knife blade. The debridement tool further includes an annular skin guide (2700) including an outer wall (2716) defining a skin contact surface (2720) disposed above the cutting plane (CP) of the disk knife blade and positioned radially inwardly of the disk knife blade cutting edge to receive and direct an excised layer of skin tissue (EST) cut by the disk knife blade upwardly away from the blade cutting edge. The debridement tool additionally includes an axially adjustable depth gauge (2620) including a depth gauge plate (2622) disposed above the cutting plane of the disk knife blade and positioned radially outwardly of the cutting edge of the disk knife blade.