Spline-Shaped Cutting Windows for Rotary Shaver Suction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF shaver instruments face challenges in minimizing the formation of unwanted secondary suction flow paths during surgical procedures, which can lead to inefficiencies and tissue trauma due to the need for precise alignment of cutting windows, increasing the complexity and cost of the assembly.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a rotary shaver arrangement with a spline-shaped region in the cutting windows of the inner and outer tubular members, which increases the range of angular positions where the central suction lumen is closed, reducing the sensitivity to unwanted suction pathway formation and allowing for more misalignment without compromising suction flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cutting windows of inner and outer tubular members are precisely aligned to prevent unwanted suction flow paths, then suction flow efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to tighter alignment tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting windows are designed with a spline-shaped region instead of straight edges, creating a curved geometry that naturally closes the unwanted suction pathway over a broader angular range. This curvature allows the inner tubular member to be rotated without precise angular positioning while maintaining suction flow efficiency, thereby reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing tolerances.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cutting windows are made with notch-shaped regions for precise alignment, then suction flow control is improved, but the angular tolerance for misalignment decreases, making the system more sensitive to positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The spline-shaped curved geometry of the cutting windows provides a gradual transition zone that maintains suction flow control over a wider angular range. Unlike notch-shaped regions that require precise angular positioning, the curved surfaces allow for greater angular tolerance while preventing unwanted suction pathways, thereby improving adaptability without sacrificing flow control.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the inner tubular member is rotated to misalign cutting windows to close suction pathways, then unwanted suction flow is prevented, but the precision required for rotation increases, worsening manufacturing and operation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The curved spline-shaped cutting windows automatically close unwanted suction pathways over a broader angular range during rotation, eliminating the need for high-precision angular positioning. The geometry ensures that as the inner tubular member rotates, the curved surfaces maintain effective sealing without requiring tight rotational tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing and operational difficulty.
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
This solution optimizes suction flow by reducing the angular sensitivity to unwanted suction pathway formation, allowing for more flexibility in the alignment of cutting windows, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and reducing tissue trauma during RF use without increasing assembly complexity or component costs.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum is applied through the inner tubular member such that the bodily material that is to be cut, shaved, etc. is drawn into the windows of the inner and outer tubular members
Implementation Method 2
The smooth nature of the spline-shaped region increases the range of angular positions at which an opening of the central suction lumen is created via the cutting windows of the rotary shaver
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary shaver arrangement for a surgical instrument includes an outer tubular member with a first cutting window at the distal end thereof, an inner tubular member providing a central suction lumen and rotatably mounted in a central passageway of the outer tubular member, and the inner tubular member having a second cutting window at the distal end of the inner tubular member. The first and second cutting windows are arranged such that: (i) when the inner tubular member is rotated to a first range of angular positions, the first and second cutting windows overlap to form an opening of the central suction lumen; and (ii) when the inner tubular member is rotated to a second range of angular positions, the first and second cutting windows do not overlap. The first and/or second cutting window includes a spline-shaped region to permit the second range of angular positions to be greater than if the spline-shaped region was notch-shaped having angular discontinuities.