Sterilizable Enclosure with IR Window for Laser Tissue Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laser cutting of allograft tissue is hindered by the need for large, expensive equipment that is difficult to sterilize and move between clean rooms, leading to inefficiencies and risks of contamination.

Innovation Solution

A portable, sterilizable enclosure with an infrared transmissive optical window allows for laser cutting of allograft tissue within a controlled, sterile environment, enabling the tissue to be processed outside the clean room without compromising sterility or risking cross-contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional cutting tools (band saw blade) are used to cut allograft tissue, then the cutting process is simple and equipment is inexpensive, but waste and scrap are created across the width of the blade

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of cutting equipmentVSAvoidwaste and scrap of allograft tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cutting tools (band saw blade) with a laser cutting system. The laser beam cuts allograft tissue precisely without the need for physical contact, eliminating waste associated with blade width while maintaining cutting effectiveness. The laser system is contained within an enclosure that can be sterilized and transported between clean rooms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If laser equipment is used to cut allograft tissue, then cutting precision is improved and waste is reduced, but the equipment is larger, more intricate, and too expensive to sterilize and move between clean rooms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precision of allograft tissueVSAvoidcomplexity of laser equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser cutting system is divided into separate components: a sterilizable enclosure containing the laser mechanism, and a removable insert that holds the allograft tissue. This segmentation allows the complex laser equipment to be contained in a sterilizable unit that can be transported and used in different clean rooms without requiring the entire system to be sterilized and relocated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An optical window serves as an intermediary between the external laser source and the enclosed sterile environment. The optical window allows the laser beam to pass through while maintaining the sterile barrier, enabling precise cutting without compromising the sterile field or requiring the entire laser system to be sterilizable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If allograft tissue is removed from the clean room for laser cutting, then laser processing can be performed, but the integrity of the allograft may be compromised or cross-contamination may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of laser cutting processVSAvoidsterility and integrity of allograft tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The allograft tissue is placed within a removable insert that nests inside the sterilizable enclosure. This nested structure allows the tissue to remain protected within the sterile environment throughout the laser cutting process. The insert can be removed and reinserted while maintaining sterility, enabling efficient processing without compromising tissue integrity or risking contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 waste and scrap from conventional cutting methods while maintaining the integrity and sterility of allograft tissue, allowing for efficient and safe laser processing of allografts in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared (IR) transmissive optical window disposed in the housing. The IR transmissive optical window is configured to allow a laser beam therethrough to the interior portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared transmissivity: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10105793B2Enclosure for laser cutting of human tissue

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 ALLOSOURCE

AI summary

There is disclosed a system and method for laser cutting of human allograft tissue. One embodiment includes a laser canister having a housing fabricated with a sterilizable material. The housing defines an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a selectively operable opening into the interior portion. The selectively operable opening includes a hermetic seal to maintain a sterile environment from the exterior portion when the selectively operable opening is closed. The canister includes an infrared (IR) transmissive optical window disposed in the housing and configured to allow a laser beam to penetrate therethrough to the interior portion. The canister also includes an insert within the interior portion configured to support human allograft tissue in a sterile environment, the insert being removable from the housing to move the human allograft tissue into another sterile environment after the housing has been exposed to a non-sterile environment. Other embodiments are also disclosed.