Surgical Saw Blade Coupling Mechanism for Vibration Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone-cutting surgical saws experience blade wander and reduced stability due to ineffective coupling systems, leading to increased vibration and decreased cutting effectiveness at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

A dual surface interlocking coupling mechanism with protrusions on both the upper and lower blade-contacting surfaces of the collet assembly, which securely engage openings on the surgical saw blade, providing enhanced stability and reducing vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single bottom clamp with protrusions secures the blade, then the blade can be attached to the saw, but the coupling becomes unstable over time introducing vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade coupling stabilityVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different coupling features to different locations on the blade. The top clamp has smooth surfaces that contact the top surface of the blade, while the bottom clamp has protrusions that engage openings in the blade. This localized differentiation of coupling mechanisms at different positions creates stable, multi-point attachment that prevents blade wander and vibration during high-speed cutting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the top clamp is smooth to guide blade placement, then blade insertion is easy, but the top clamp does not secure the blade causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade placementVSAvoidblade security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two previously separate functions into a unified coupling system. The top clamp's smooth guidance surface is combined with additional smooth contact surfaces on the bottom clamp, creating coordinated multi-point contact that both guides blade placement and secures the blade. The protrusions on the bottom clamp engage blade openings while the smooth surfaces provide guidance, achieving both ease of operation and reliable security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If high cutting speeds are used, then cutting productivity increases, but blade vibration and wander increase reducing cutting precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidcut accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a dynamic, multi-point coupling system that adapts to high-speed cutting conditions. The combination of smooth contact surfaces for guidance and protrusion-openings engagement for secure attachment creates a flexible yet stable connection that maintains blade alignment and reduces vibration even at cutting speeds of 10,000-40,000 cycles per minute, thereby preserving cut accuracy while enabling high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3081175B1Surgical cutting instrument with dual surface
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 MEDTRONIC PS MEDICAL INC
  • EP3081175B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3081175B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3081175B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A surgical cutting instrument (102) for cutting material with a blade (104), comprising: a hand-graspable body (106) for manipulating the cutting instrument; a motor (112) associated with the hand-graspable body; a blade coupling mechanism (116) associated with the hand-graspable body, comprising: a first coupling member (138, 252) having a first blade-contacting surface (144), and a second coupling member (124) having a second blade-contacting surface (130); a shaft portion (118) extending from the first coupling member and through a bore (128) formed in the second coupling member; and a sleeve (120) having a bore (128) extending through the sleeve and through which the shaft portion extends, wherein the sleeve is moveable relative to the shaft portion; wherein the shaft portion is coupled to the motor to provide a cutting oscillation to the blade.