Tangential Gas Flow Cleaning Head for Bone Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical gas lavage devices are difficult to use in minimally invasive surgical techniques due to limited access and require simultaneous coordination of gas supply and suction, which is challenging, especially in procedures like knee replacement surgery where the gap between prepared femur and tibia surfaces is small, leading to inefficient cleaning and debris removal.
Innovation Solution
A surgical apparatus with a pressurized fluid supply and surface debris aspirator that constrains fluid flow along or tangentially to the surgically prepared surface, using a cleaning head with an orifice to engage the bone surface and create a pressure gradient for effective debris removal, combined with a Venturi-assisted vacuum for enhanced suction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional gas lavage devices are used in minimally invasive surgery, then surgical access is limited, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to inability to properly engage the bone surface
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a thin, flexible cleaning head that can be inserted through small incisions and conform to the bone surface geometry. The cleaning head includes a flexible membrane that seals against the bone surface to create a closed chamber, enabling effective gas lavage even through minimally invasive access routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional linear gas flow to two-dimensional tangential flow across the bone surface. The gas jet is directed tangentially along the bone surface within the closed chamber, creating a sweeping cleaning action that covers larger surface areas and improves cleaning effectiveness despite limited surgical access.
2Manufacturing precision
If simultaneous gas supply and suction coordination is required, then cleaning capability is improved, but operational complexity increases making it difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates the gas supply nozzle and suction catheter into a single unified cleaning head assembly. Both the gas jet and suction catheter are positioned within the same closed chamber, allowing simultaneous operation without requiring separate manual coordination of multiple instruments. The system is controlled through a single handle mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates automatic flow coordination mechanisms where the gas flow and suction are linked through pressure-balancing design. When the cleaning head engages the bone surface and creates the closed chamber, the system automatically establishes the appropriate pressure gradient between gas supply and suction, reducing the need for manual coordination by the surgeon.
3Productivity
If compressed gas jet is used for lavage, then debris removal speed is improved, but fluid flow control becomes difficult in restricted spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane of the cleaning head creates a sealed chamber that confines and directs the compressed gas jet flow. This containment allows the high-velocity gas to effectively remove debris while preventing uncontrolled dispersion of fluid and gas in restricted surgical spaces. The flexible seal adapts to maintain proper flow confinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed chamber formed by the flexible membrane acts as an intermediary between the compressed gas jet and the surgical field. It mediates the gas flow by containing it within a defined space, directing it tangentially across the bone surface, and preventing uncontrolled fluid ejection, thereby maintaining productivity while improving flow control in restricted spaces.
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 apparatus efficiently cleans and dries surgically prepared bone surfaces by forcing pressurized fluid to flow along or tangentially to the surface, effectively removing biological fluids and debris, even in restricted spaces, thereby improving surgical efficiency and reducing operating time.
Implementation Method 1
create an internal pressure gradient between said pressurized fluid supply channel and said aspiration channel
Implementation Method 2
Aventuri-assisted vacuum is coupled to the collection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus suitable for cleaning a surgically prepared working surface comprises a body portion adapted to supply pressurized fluid (preferably carbon dioxide gas) to the surgically prepared working surface and aspirate surface debris dislodged from the surgically prepared working surface. The apparatus further comprises a head portion adapted to constrain the supplied pressurized fluid to flow substantially along the surgically prepared working surface to dislodge debris there from when the head portion is in contact with the surgically prepared working surface. The dislodged surface debris are aspirated by the body portion. A second embodiment includes a Venturi-assisted cleaning head and is operable with or without an external source of vacuum.