Rotating Surgical Bur Fluid Flow Generation for Tissue Fragment Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

During surgical procedures using conventional surgical burs, cut tissue fragments float in the perfusion fluid, obstructing the surgeon's view and compromising the safety, accuracy, and speed of the operation.

Innovation Solution

A surgical bur with a liquid flow generation part, such as a spiral protrusion on its shaft, generates a flow in the perfusion fluid to clear tissue fragments from the cutting area, ensuring a clear view by replacing suspended fluid with fresh fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If perfusion fluid is supplied around the removal target position, then cooling and lubrication are improved, but the surgeon's view is obstructed by floating cut tissue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidsurgeon's view
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into functional segments: a cutting part for tissue removal and a liquid flow generation part with spiral protrusions for fluid manipulation. This segmentation allows independent optimization of cutting performance and fluid flow control to maintain clear surgical field

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical bur utilizes hydraulic principles by employing spiral protrusions on the shaft that generate rotational fluid flow when rotating in perfusion fluid. This creates a vortex effect that actively clears tissue fragments from the surgical field while maintaining continuous fluid supply for cooling and lubrication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Quantity of substance

If more perfusion fluid is supplied to improve the view, then fluid flow increases, but tissue fragments still accumulate and obstruct the view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperfusion fluid volumeVSAvoidsurgeon's view
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static fluid supply to dynamic fluid manipulation. The spiral protrusions on the rotating shaft create a dynamic vortex flow that actively circulates perfusion fluid and propels tissue fragments away from the surgical field, adapting fluid motion to the rotational speed and surgical conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid flow generation part changes the flow parameters of perfusion fluid by creating rotational motion and vortex patterns. This transforms the fluid from simple irrigation into an active clearing mechanism that changes flow velocity, direction, and circulation patterns to prevent tissue fragment accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple shaft design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but fluid flow control and tissue fragment removal are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaft manufacturingVSAvoidfluid flow control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft incorporates localized functional features (spiral protrusions) only in the liquid flow generation part, while maintaining a simple cylindrical form in other sections. This local quality enhancement provides advanced fluid control capabilities where needed without significantly complicating overall manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft serves multiple functions: structural support, rotation transmission, cutting (via attached cutting part), and fluid flow generation (via spiral protrusions). This multi-functionality integrates several capabilities into a single component, reducing the need for additional separate devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 surgical bur maintains a clear field of view around the cutting area, enhancing surgical safety, accuracy, and speed by effectively removing tissue fragments and preventing fluid stagnation.

Implementation Method 1

the shaft is formed on the outer peripheral surface on the cutting part side in the axial direction and includes a liquid flow generation part having at least one of a convex part projecting outward in the radial direction or a concave part recessed inward in the radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow generation by rotation: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4603036A1Surgical bur, surgical system, and method for operating the surgical system
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 NAKANISHI INC
  • EP4603036A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4603036A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4603036A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A surgical bur 10 includes a bar-shaped shaft 11 and a cutting part 13 provided at one axial end of the shaft 11, which rotates around the axis of the shaft 11. The shaft 11 is formed on the outer peripheral surface on the cutting part 13 side in the axial direction and includes a liquid flow generation part 15 having at least one of a convex part projecting outward in the radial direction or a concave part recessed inward in the radial direction.