Arthroscopic Shaver Cleaning Device Lumen Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Arthroscopic shavers often experience blockages due to tissue, bone, or debris lodging in the blade/burr lumen, requiring time-consuming disassembly and clearance methods that are risky and damaging, and lack a certain indication of clearance success.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a sleeve portion and fluid connection portion that directs pressurized fluid towards the blade/burr lumen to clear blockages without disassembly, using a sleeve to interface with the blade/burr and a fluid passageway to flush out debris, providing visual feedback on clearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional manual clearance methods are used to remove blockages from the blade/burr lumen, then the blockage can be cleared, but the surgical team time is wasted, the blade/burr must be disassembled and reassembled, and there is risk of damage to the arthroscopic shaver

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclearance effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical team time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is attached to the blade/burr before surgery or before blockage occurs, allowing proactive flushing of the lumen with irrigation fluid to prevent blockages or clear them immediately upon formation, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual clearance procedures during surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses hydraulic pressure from irrigation fluid delivered through the fluid connection portion to flush and clear blockages from the blade/burr lumen, replacing manual mechanical clearance methods with automated fluid-driven cleaning that saves time and reduces risk of damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If manual clearance methods are used, then blockage removal is possible, but disassembly of the blade/burr is required which increases complexity and risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclearance certaintyVSAvoiddisassembly requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade/burr with attached cleaning device can clear its own blockages autonomously through fluid flushing without requiring disassembly or external manual intervention, making the system self-maintaining and eliminating complex disassembly/reassembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device acts as an intermediary between the irrigation fluid source and the blade/burr lumen, providing a safe interface that allows fluid access for cleaning without requiring direct manipulation or disassembly of the blade/burr components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If sharp instruments are used to clear blockages, then the obstruction can be removed, but the method is dangerous and can be damaging to the arthroscopic shaver

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockage clearanceVSAvoidrisk of damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces dangerous sharp mechanical instruments with safe hydraulic fluid pressure to clear blockages, using the flow of irrigation fluid to flush out debris and obstructions without risking damage to the delicate blade/burr or arthroscopic shaver components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes manual mechanical clearance methods (sharp instruments, striking on hard surfaces) with automated fluid-based cleaning, replacing potentially harmful mechanical actions with safe hydraulic flushing that eliminates risk of damage while achieving reliable blockage clearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces surgical team time waste, maintains a sterile environment, and ensures safe clearance without damaging the arthroscopic shaver, by effectively flushing and expelling debris from the lumen, providing immediate visual confirmation of blockage removal.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid passageway disposed therethrough and configured to direct fluid supplied to the fluid connection portion toward the proximal portion of the blade/burr

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

supplying a fluid from a fluid source through the fluid connection portion toward the proximal portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS11660162B2Arthroscopic shaver and cleaning device and method of cleaning an arthroscopic shaver

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 MARK 2 MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

An arthroscopic shaver cleaning device and method of cleaning an arthroscopic shaver blade/burr are disclosed. The arthroscopic shaver cleaning device includes a sleeve portion configured to interface with a proximal portion of a blade/burr of an arthroscopic shaver. The arthroscopic shaver cleaning device further includes a fluid connection portion having a fluid passageway configured to direct fluid toward the proximal portion of the blade/burr in order to dislodge debris entrapped in shaver lumen of the blade/burr.