Sagittal Saw Blade Mount Wedge Locking to Reduce Mechanical Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical saw blades experience mechanical play and wear due to excess space in the blade mount, leading to reduced accuracy, stability, and increased operation times, as well as noise, due to the oscillatory action and manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A blade mount with angled securing faces and a locking member that urges the blade into a wedge arrangement, transferring force along the plane of motion to secure the blade and account for wear, combined with a surgical saw blade featuring angled inner faces on its prongs to enhance secure fitting and reduce relative movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If excess space is provided in the blade mount to allow easy blade insertion and removal, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical play and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the securing faces from parallel to angled, creating a wedge arrangement that transforms the space utilization. The angled faces (at angles α and β) allow the blade to be secured with reduced clearance while maintaining ease of insertion through the self-aligning wedge mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is configured to move dynamically along the angled securing faces, urging the blade into the wedge arrangement during operation. This dynamic adjustment compensates for wear and maintains optimal blade security while allowing easy blade changes.
2Ease of manufacture
If manufacturing tolerances are accommodated with excess space in the blade mount, then ease of manufacture is improved, but cutting precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of manufacturing tolerances and excess space into a beneficial self-aligning wedge mechanism. The angled securing faces transform potential misalignment and play into a positive locking action that enhances cutting precision while accommodating manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the securing face geometry from parallel to angled, the system transforms tolerance accumulation into a self-correcting mechanism where the wedge arrangement naturally aligns the blade, improving cutting accuracy despite manufacturing variations.
3Reliability
If the blade is secured with pins and clamps in a traditional blade mount, then reliability of blade securing is improved, but wear and mechanical play increase due to rubbing and striking surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the securing mechanism from discrete pins and clamps to continuous angled securing faces forming a wedge. This geometric transformation eliminates point-contact rubbing and striking, distributing forces along the angled surfaces to reduce wear and extend blade mount life while maintaining secure blade holding.
4Ease of operation
If excess space is provided in the blade mount, then ease of blade replacement is improved, but vibrations and noise increase due to blade movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of blade movement and vibrations into a beneficial self-aligning wedge mechanism. The angled securing faces transform excessive blade motion into a positive locking action that reduces vibrations and noise while maintaining easy blade replacement capability.
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 solution provides a more secure and stable drive for the blade, reducing mechanical play and wear, thereby improving cutting accuracy and efficiency while accommodating for manufacturing tolerances and wear over time.
Implementation Method 1
The two securing faces are angled such that the planes of the securing faces intersect with each other and with the plane of motion at a point of intersection such that the point of rotation lies between the point of intersection and the securing portion
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a sagittal saw blade mount and corresponding sagittal saw blade. The blade mount is configured to rotationally oscillate along a plane of motion about an axis of rotation which passes through the blade mount crossing the plane of motion at a point of rotation. The blade mount comprises a securing portion comprising two securing faces passing through the plane of motion and a locking member configured to urge a blade towards the securing portion in a first direction parallel to the plane of motion, thereby securing the blade between the locking member and the securing faces. The two securing faces are angled such that the planes of the securing faces intersect with each other and with the plane of motion at a point of intersection which is positioned such that the point of rotation lies between the point of intersection and the securing portion.