Surgical Cutting Accessory With Integrated Suction Against Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical cutting accessories face issues with suction clogging due to soft tissue wrapping around the cutting head, requiring manual disassembly for unclogging, and bearing arrangements complicating assembly and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A suction arrangement integrated into the cutting accessory for efficient debris evacuation and self-cleaning, combined with a bearing arrangement that provides radial and axial support, simplifying the design and preventing suction occlusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional surgical cutting accessories are used with separate bearing components, then radial and axial support is provided, but assembly and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial and axial supportVSAvoidbearing arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the bearing function with existing structural components of the cutting accessory. Specifically, the housing structure itself is designed to provide radial support through its configuration, while the drive shaft and cutting head assembly provide axial support through their arrangement. This integration eliminates the need for separate bearing components, reducing assembly steps and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the necessary support functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing and drive shaft components are designed to serve multiple functions: structural support, debris channeling, and bearing functions. The housing not only protects internal components but also provides radial support through its configuration. The drive shaft assembly provides both rotational drive and axial support. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional suction openings are positioned away from the cutting head, then debris evacuation is possible, but soft tissue wraps around the cutting head causing suction occlusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris evacuation efficiencyVSAvoidsuction flow continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction openings are positioned to begin evacuating debris immediately at the cutting interface, before soft tissue can wrap around the cutting head. By placing suction openings in close proximity to the cutting head, the system creates negative pressure at the critical zone where tissue wrapping would occur, preventing the problem before it develops and maintaining continuous suction flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure acts as an intermediary element that channels debris from the cutting head directly to the suction openings. The housing configuration creates a controlled flow path that guides debris away from the cutting head and into the suction openings, preventing tissue wrapping while maintaining efficient debris evacuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If manual unclogging procedures are implemented, then suction occlusion is resolved, but surgical time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction function restorationVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting accessory is designed to be self-cleaning through its integrated suction system. The suction openings positioned adjacent to the cutting head continuously evacuate debris and prevent tissue wrapping, eliminating the need for manual unclogging interventions. The system maintains its own suction function automatically throughout the surgical procedure, reducing surgical time and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 integrated suction and bearing system effectively prevents suction clogging, maintaining a clear surgical field and reducing the need for manual unclogging, while enhancing manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

A suction pump is connected to the handpiece to provide the suction force needed for drawing the fluid and material away from the surgical site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the handpiece motor couples to the drive shaft of the accessory and moves same relative to the housing tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12629167B2Surgical tool arrangement and surgical cutting accessory for use therewith

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A surgical tool arrangement for performing endoscopic surgical procedures which includes a powered handpiece and a surgical cutting accessory which detachably connects to the handpiece. The cutting accessory incorporates a cutting head for resecting tissue and a suction arrangement at the distal end of the cutting accessory closely adjacent the cutting head which suction arrangement serves to evacuate tissue from the surgical site and additionally serves as a cleaning mechanism for the surgical cutting accessory. The accessory additionally incorporates a bearing arrangement for supporting the cutting element as same rotates within the housing element.