Surgical Disc Removal Tool Auger Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical devices for removing tissue associated with spinal discs are either purely manual, requiring excessive time and human muscle fatigue, or rely on expensive powered equipment that may be overpowered or lack safety features, and often use suction generated by airflow, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A tissue removal device with a customizable tip, a flexible cutting blade that can be expanded or contracted, and an auger-like suction mechanism driven by a motor, which allows for efficient tissue removal without relying solely on airflow suction, and includes a collection chamber with a transparent enclosure for inspection and a pluggable port for versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual devices are used for tissue removal, then device simplicity is maintained, but surgical time increases and human muscle fatigue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely manual mechanical operations with a powered rotational cutting mechanism. The cutting instrument rotates to sever tissue, eliminating the need for manual back-and-forth motions and significantly reducing surgical time while maintaining device simplicity through a straightforward powered rotation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting instrument is designed to be self-contained with its own power source or power connection, allowing it to operate independently without requiring complex external machinery. This enables the device to perform tissue removal autonomously, improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If expensive powered equipment is used for tissue removal, then surgical efficiency improves, but capital costs increase and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting instrument is designed as a disposable or single-use component that can be discarded after a single procedure. This eliminates the need for expensive capital equipment that requires maintenance and sterilization, reducing capital costs while maintaining surgical efficiency. The disposable nature also inherently addresses safety concerns through single-use sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power function from a complex capital equipment system and integrates it into a simpler, self-contained cutting instrument. This allows the device to achieve powered cutting efficiency without requiring expensive external machinery, thereby improving productivity while reducing capital equipment costs.
3Ease of operation
If suction generated by airflow is used for tissue removal, then tissue collection is achieved, but device cost increases and effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a threaded shaft as an intermediary mechanism between the cutting action and tissue collection. The threaded shaft mechanically conveys severed tissue through the outer shaft, serving as a mediator that replaces the need for expensive airflow suction systems while maintaining effective tissue collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the airflow-based suction system with a mechanical conveyance system using the threaded shaft. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive suction generation equipment while achieving effective tissue collection through direct mechanical action, thereby improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity.
4Device complexity
If a fixed cutting blade is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different tissue removal needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade is designed with expandable and contractible capabilities, allowing it to dynamically change its configuration. When expanded, it provides greater cutting surface area for efficient tissue removal; when contracted, it maintains a compact profile. This dynamic adaptability enables the device to handle different tissue removal needs without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting blade can be nested within or retracted into the outer shaft when not in use or when a smaller profile is needed. This nesting capability allows the adaptable cutting blade to be stored compactly, maintaining device simplicity while providing versatility when the blade is deployed for different tissue removal requirements.
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 device improves surgical efficiency by reducing fatigue and capital costs, providing a versatile and safe method for tissue removal with precise control and effective tissue collection, avoiding the limitations of manual and conventional powered devices.
Implementation Method 1
The threaded shaft may be driven to provide an auger-like capability to convey the severed tissue through the outer shaft to the collection chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue removal device including customizable tips and method of use thereof. The tissue removal device may include an outer shaft having a removable tip attached to the outer shaft and a rotatable inner shaft extending through the outer shaft and having a rotatable cutting portion extending from the inner shaft. Disc material may be cut and removed from a surgical area using an auger-like and/or suction mechanism to facilitate the transfer of removed tissue away from the surgical area.