Sagittal Saw Blade Asymmetric Teeth Void Chip Catchment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sagittal and reciprocating surgical saw blades face instability and reduced cutting efficiency due to bone chip accumulation during bone cutting procedures, which affects the performance of the blades.

Innovation Solution

The saw blades are designed with teeth arranged inwardly from the side edges to reduce 'kick' and stability issues, and feature void spaces to collect bone chips, preventing their accumulation between the blade and the bone, thereby enhancing cutting efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If teeth are arranged outwardly from side edges of the blade, then cutting coverage is maximized, but blade stability decreases due to increased kick

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting coverageVSAvoidblade stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by arranging teeth inwardly from the side edges of the blade rather than outwardly. This asymmetric tooth configuration reduces the kick generated during cutting while maintaining adequate cutting coverage, thereby improving blade stability without completely sacrificing productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If bone chips accumulate in interstitial space between blade and bone, then cutting efficiency is reduced, but adding chip removal mechanisms increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidblade structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the blade body into distinct sections with void spaces created between structural elements. These void spaces function as integrated chip catchments that capture bone chips during cutting, preventing accumulation in the interstitial space and maintaining cutting efficiency without adding external chip removal mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blade structure serves multiple functions: the void spaces simultaneously maintain structural integrity of the blade and provide chip catchment capability. This multi-functionality allows the blade to manage bone chips without requiring separate chip removal devices, thereby maintaining cutting efficiency while avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If reciprocating blade teeth are arranged parallel to longitudinal axis, then manufacturing is simplified, but cutting efficiency is reduced due to shallow cutting depth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth arrangement simplicityVSAvoidcutting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by arranging reciprocating blade teeth at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis rather than parallel to it. This angled arrangement allows later teeth in the reciprocating sequence to engage the bone at deeper positions, increasing material removal per stroke and improving cutting efficiency while remaining manufacturable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS8216262B2Surgical sagittal saw blade with spaced apart tines from which the blade teeth emerge and recessed webs that extend between the tines

Publication Date: 2012.07.10 STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A sagittal saw blade with a blade body the distal end of which has spaced apart tines. Plural teeth extend forward from each of the tines. The void space between the tines functions as a chip catchment into which bone chips formed by cutting by the blade are able to flow. At least one web extends between the tines, across the chip catchment.