Surgical Tendon Stripper and Cutter with Tapered Geometry

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical devices struggle to efficiently strip and cut tendons for orthopedic procedures like ACL, PCL, and UCL reconstructions, often requiring multiple instruments and lacking intuitive operation.

Innovation Solution

A surgical device with a shaft and insert featuring a stripping tube and a cutter, where the stripping tube has a circular inner diameter and a tapered outer diameter, allowing the tendon to be stripped and cut by pinching it between the cutter's distal edge and the stripping tube's proximal edge, with the cutter also having a tapered recess for seamless severing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate instruments are used for tendon stripping and cutting, then the functionality is comprehensive, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tendon stripping function and tendon cutting function into a single integrated surgical device. The stripping tube with tapered outer diameter performs tendon stripping, while the cutter with tapered recess performs tendon cutting. Both functions are integrated in one device that can be operated sequentially, eliminating the need for multiple separate instruments and simplifying the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate instruments are used for tendon stripping and cutting, then the functionality is comprehensive, but the ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tendon stripping function and tendon cutting function into a single integrated surgical device. The stripping tube with tapered outer diameter performs tendon stripping, while the cutter with tapered recess performs tendon cutting. Both functions are integrated in one device that can be operated sequentially, eliminating the need for multiple separate instruments and simplifying the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the outer diameter of the stripping tube is tapered, then the ease of stripping and cutting is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of stripping and cuttingVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a tapered outer diameter on the stripping tube and a tapered recess on the cutter. These localized geometric variations are concentrated at specific regions (the distal portions) rather than affecting the entire device. The tapered geometry facilitates smooth insertion and stripping action, while the precision requirements are confined to localized areas that can be manufactured with standard tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4304488B1Surgical device configured to strip and cut tendon

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 ARTHREX INC

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AI summary

This disclosure relates to a surgical device configured to both strip and cut a tendon. The harvested tendon can be used in various orthopedic procedures, such as ACL, PCL, and UCL reconstructions.