Surgical Bur Speed Control for Real-Time Chatter Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical burs operating at high speeds experience vibration issues, known as chatter, which can lead to non-uniform tissue removal and inefficient power consumption due to fluctuating torque and pressure.

Innovation Solution

A surgical console system that includes a processor and memory to analyze electrical current drawn by the surgical instrument, identify chatter events through harmonic signatures, and adjust the rotational speed of the bur to mitigate vibration by supplying a second drive signal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the surgical bur operates at high speed (5000+ RPM), then productivity is improved, but vibration (chatter) increases causing non-uniform tissue removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue removal speedVSAvoiduniformity of tissue removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the rotational speed of the surgical bur in real-time based on detected chatter conditions. The controller monitors vibration levels and modifies RPM dynamically, transitioning from static high-speed operation to adaptive speed control, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high productivity and ensuring uniform tissue removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter (rotational speed) in response to detected chatter conditions. By monitoring vibration characteristics and adjusting the speed parameter dynamically, the system maintains optimal cutting performance while eliminating the non-uniform tissue removal that occurs at constant high speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the surgical bur operates at high speed, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases due to fluctuating torque

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue removal speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by monitoring electrical current draw and vibration characteristics, then adjusting the drive signal accordingly. This closed-loop control prevents excessive power consumption during chatter events by reducing speed when torque fluctuations occur, while maintaining high productivity during stable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static high-speed operation to dynamic speed adjustment based on real-time conditions. By continuously adapting the rotational speed to match actual cutting conditions, the system maintains high productivity while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during transient chatter events

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4301255B1Real time BUR chatter compensation in surgical cutting burs
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 STRYKER CORP
  • EP4301255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4301255B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP4301255B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

A surgical console system configured to provide a drive signal to a surgical instrument for rotating a surgical bur. The surgical console system may supply a first drive signal to the surgical instrument to rotate the bur at a desired speed and to determine an electrical current drawn by the surgical instrument based on the drive signal. The surgical console system may be further configured to identify a chatter event based on the electrical current, and to supply a second drive signal to the surgical instrument based on the identified chatter event.