Surgical Saw Blade Coupling for Adjustable Oscillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical cutting devices lack efficient mechanisms for orienting saw blades with respect to the drive mechanism, leading to potential trauma to patients and damage to surrounding tissue during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A surgical cutting device with a drive head that allows the saw blade to be oscillated through adjustable angles, utilizing a locking mechanism and holding mechanism to securely position the blade for efficient cutting while minimizing trauma, and featuring interchangeable saw blades with reduced material usage for cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the saw blade is fixed to the drive mechanism with a simple coupling, then the device complexity is reduced, but the blade orientation precision and patient trauma reduction are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade coupling mechanism complexityVSAvoidblade orientation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a coupling member with blade-engaging protrusions, a coupling recess with corresponding engagement features, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system precision without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is pre-configured with specific geometric features (protrusions, recesses, engagement surfaces) that automatically guide and constrain the blade to the correct orientation upon assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures precise blade orientation is achieved through the design itself rather than requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the saw blade is fixed to the drive mechanism with a secure locking mechanism, then the blade stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade stabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and secure the blade through self-aligning features. The coupling protrusions and recesses are configured so that when the blade is inserted, the locking elements automatically engage without requiring manual intervention or complex actuation mechanisms, thereby achieving high stability with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the saw blade can be oriented at adjustable angles, then the patient trauma is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient traumaVSAvoidblade orientation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism incorporates asymmetric geometric features that enable the blade to be positioned at specific predetermined angles relative to the drive mechanism. The asymmetric protrusions and recesses are designed to engage only at specific angular orientations, providing controlled blade orientation capability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Productivity

If the saw blade is designed for easy replacement, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade replacement efficiencyVSAvoidblade orientation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is designed as a separate, extractable component with a coupling interface that can be quickly removed and replaced. The coupling protrusions and recesses are designed to maintain precise angular relationships even during rapid assembly and disassembly, allowing blade replacement without compromising orientation precision through features like self-aligning engagement surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3308724B1Surgical saw
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC
  • EP3308724B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3308724B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3308724B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a surgical cutting device configured to drive a removable surgical saw blade in oscillating rotation. The saw blade is held within the cutting device at a holding member and a clamping member and removeabley attached to a drive plate.