Surgical Instrument Waveguide Strike Surface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic surgical instruments require frequent exchanges and sterilization during procedures, limiting efficiency and precision in cutting, shaping, and coagulating musculoskeletal tissues, especially when transitioning between soft and hard tissues.
Innovation Solution
Development of surgical instruments with elongated transmission waveguides that can operate in both powered and unpowered states, utilizing ultrasonic vibrations for efficient tissue cutting and coagulation, and incorporating a strike surface for manual energy input to handle various tissue types without instrument exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple specialized orthopedic surgical instruments are used for different tissue types and procedures, then cutting and coagulation precision is improved, but the frequency of instrument exchanges and sterilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument combines multiple functions including cutting, coagulation, and shaping capabilities in a single device. The end effector can perform both soft tissue coagulation and hard tissue cutting through integrated ultrasonic and mechanical energy delivery, eliminating the need to switch between specialized instruments for different tissue types.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument merges ultrasonic vibration delivery with manual strike energy input through a unified transmission waveguide system. The strike surface at the proximal end allows mechanical energy to be combined with ultrasonic energy, creating a multi-functional tool that replaces multiple specialized instruments.
2Productivity
If a single surgical instrument is used for both soft and hard tissue procedures, then instrument exchange frequency is reduced, but the ability to effectively handle different tissue types simultaneously deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument transitions between different operational modes dynamically. The ultrasonic transducer can be activated for soft tissue coagulation, while the strike surface can be utilized for hard tissue cutting. The system adapts its energy delivery mechanism based on the surgical requirements, maintaining versatility within a single instrument design.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument changes its energy delivery parameters to match different tissue types. For soft tissue, ultrasonic vibrations at specific frequencies are applied for coagulation. For hard tissue, mechanical strikes are applied to the strike surface. The transmission waveguide transmits different types of energy based on the procedural requirements, maintaining adaptability across tissue types.
3Manufacturing precision
If ultrasonic vibrations are used for tissue cutting and coagulation, then cutting precision and coagulation effectiveness are improved, but the need for additional manual energy input capability worsens when hard tissue is involved
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission waveguide acts as an intermediary that transmits both ultrasonic vibrations from the transducer and mechanical strike energy to the end effector. This mediator component allows two different energy types to be delivered through the same instrument shaft, enabling the system to handle both soft and hard tissue requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument segments its energy delivery mechanisms into distinct components: the ultrasonic transducer for continuous vibration-based coagulation and cutting of soft tissue, and the strike surface for intermittent mechanical energy input for hard tissue. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized for its specific function while being integrated in a single instrument.
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
Enhances procedural efficiency and precision by reducing the need for instrument exchanges and sterilization, allowing for effective cutting, shaping, and coagulation of both soft and hard musculoskeletal tissues using a single instrument.
Implementation Method 1
Ultrasonic instruments, and particularly solid core ultrasonic instruments, are advantageous because they may be used to cut and/or coagulate organic tissue using energy in the form of mechanical vibrations transmitted to a surgical end effector at ultrasonic frequencies
Implementation Method 2
The transducer may be constructed of one or more piezoelectric or magnetostrictive elements in the instrument hand piece
Implementation Method 3
The transducer may be constructed of one or more piezoelectric or magnetostrictive elements in the instrument hand piece
Implementation Method 4
The waveguides and end effectors are designed to resonate at the same frequency as the transducer. Therefore, when an end effector is attached to a transducer the overall system frequency is the same frequency as the transducer itself
Implementation Method 5
Activating or exciting the end effector (e.g., cutting blade) of such instruments at ultrasonic frequencies induces longitudinal vibratory movement that generates localized heat within adjacent tissue, facilitating both cutting and coagulation
Implementation Method 6
The at least one strike surface is formed on the proximal end and is configured to receive vibratory energy
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes an elongated transmission waveguide defining a longitudinal axis. The transmission waveguide has a distal end and a proximal end. The at least one strike surface is formed on the proximal end and is configured to receive vibratory energy.