Steerable Arthroscopic Drill Blade with Flexible Sheath
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current arthroscopic drill systems face challenges in accessing hard-to-reach joint spaces due to mechanical limitations, such as the need for large, robust blades that cannot pervasively access joint areas and the inability to withstand lateral forces, and require removal for further access, limiting effective drilling and shaving in steerable applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of an arthroscopic drill system with a steerable, interchangeable blade design featuring a flexible inner shaft and preformed cannula with adjustable curvature, combined with suction drilling and shaving capabilities, allowing for targeted access and debridement in constrained joint spaces without the need for constant blade removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large, robust drill blades are used to withstand lateral forces, then drilling strength is improved, but the ability to access hard-to-reach joint spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drill system is divided into modular components: a reusable introducer sheath and interchangeable drill blades. The introducer sheath provides the robust structural support needed to withstand lateral forces, while the drill blades can be exchanged to match specific access requirements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer sheath is designed with flexible materials that allow it to navigate complex joint geometries and reach hard-to-access areas. The sheath's flexibility enables steerable access while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support drilling operations when the drill blade is engaged.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drill blade is removed to access different joint areas, then adaptability to different locations is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to constant removal and reinsertion
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer sheath serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective conduit during insertion, provides structural support during drilling, and can be manipulated to steer the drill blade to multiple locations within the joint. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to remove the entire assembly for repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic steering capabilities that allow the drill blade to be redirected to multiple locations while remaining engaged in the introducer sheath. This dynamic repositioning capability maintains productivity by avoiding repeated removal and reinsertion cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If steerable access is implemented to reach overhanging areas, then adaptability to complex joint geometries is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer sheath acts as an intermediary element that simplifies the steering mechanism. Rather than complex articulations in the drill blade itself, the sheath provides a flexible conduit that can be manipulated externally to guide the drill blade to target locations, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An arthroscopic drill for insertion into a human joint of a human body comprising an elongate body extending between a proximal end which, during use, remains external to the human body and a distal end which, when in an operative configuration, is positioned in the human joint adjacent to a target structure within the human body (e.g. preferably a joint surface); a drill bit having a proximal portion adjacent the distal end of the elongated body, the drill bit having a distal portion extending to the target structure; and an introducer sheath having a lumen with an inner diameter of at least 2 mm and a bending stiffness of approximately 0.08 Nm2, wherein the operative configuration, the elongate body extends through the introducer sheath.