Surgical Tool Transmission for Mode Switching and Tissue-Safe Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powered rotary surgical tools are expensive, difficult to sterilize, and require multiple tools for different surgical functions, leading to increased costs and potential damage to fibrous tissues like muscle and nerves due to inefficient oscillation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A rotary surgical tool with a transmission system that allows for interchangeable end effectors, enabling both high-speed tissue modification and slow-speed fastener driving, with selectable driving modes for oscillating or continuous rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a rotary surgical tool is designed with high-speed rotation for efficient cutting, then cutting speed is improved, but the tool cannot smoothly operate when encountering fibrous tissue such as muscle and nerves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the tool to switch between two operational modes: high-speed rotation for cutting and oscillating motion for smooth operation with fibrous tissue. The oscillation mechanism allows the cutter to vibrate at controlled frequencies, preventing wrapping of fibrous tissue while maintaining cutting efficiency. This dynamic adjustment of motion characteristics resolves the contradiction between high-speed cutting and smooth operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the oscillation mechanism that causes the cutter to vibrate periodically during operation. This periodic oscillating motion prevents fibrous tissue from wrapping around the cutter by creating continuous slight movements, thereby maintaining operational smoothness while preserving high-speed cutting capability through controlled oscillation frequencies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate tools are used for different surgical functions, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and sterilization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single surgical tool that can perform multiple functions: tissue cutting at high speed, oscillating operation for fibrous tissue, and fastener driving. The tool includes a interchangeable end effector system that allows different surgical attachments to be mounted on the same power source, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If powered surgical tools are designed with numerous parts for various functions, then functional capability is improved, but sterilization becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tool into modular components: a reusable powered shaft and interchangeable end effectors. This segmentation allows the main body to be sterilized separately from the disposable end effectors, simplifying the sterilization process. The modular design enables easy disassembly for sterilization while maintaining functional capability through the combination of sterilized shaft and sterile attachments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a single tool is designed to perform both tissue modification and fastener driving, then device versatility is improved, but transmission mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics in the transmission mechanism by providing selectable operational modes that can be dynamically switched between tissue modification and fastener driving. The transmission includes mechanisms to engage different gear ratios and motion patterns (high-speed rotation, oscillation, or slow-speed high-torque) based on the surgical task, allowing mode switching without requiring completely separate mechanical systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a powered surgical tool that selectively rotates a tool head (effector) to effect tissue modification during a surgical procedure, and allows for use also as a fastener driver by a simple change of end effectors and shifting a drive selector.