Tissue Cutting Device with Blade Guide Slots for Uniform Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reshaping tissue samples lack the necessary control and consistency to produce tissue forms with uniform selected thickness, particularly when cutting or slicing through soft tissues like cartilage or dermis.
Innovation Solution
A cutting device with a base plate featuring aligned front and back slots for guiding a blade, along with a tissue cavity for holding the sample and spacers for adjusting depth, enables precise and consistent planar cutting of tissue samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional cutting methods are used on soft tissue, then the cutting process is simple and quick, but the thickness uniformity and surface smoothness of the cut tissue are poor
Solution Approach 1:
A blade guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the blade and the tissue sample. The blade guide has a槽 (groove) that receives and guides the blade, ensuring it moves along a precise linear path. This intermediary structure enables uniform thickness cutting without requiring complex multi-component devices
Solution Approach 2:
The depth adjustment mechanism allows changing the vertical position of the blade relative to the base plate by adjusting parameters such as the height of support blocks or the position of adjustable stops. This parameter adjustment enables precise control of cut depth and thickness uniformity while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple
2Manufacturing precision
If manual cutting without guidance is used, then the operation is fast and easy, but the cut surface is rough and thickness varies
Solution Approach 1:
The blade guide's groove structure automatically guides the blade along a predetermined linear path during cutting. The geometry of the groove itself provides the guidance function, eliminating the need for additional active control mechanisms or complex operational procedures. The device guides itself through its inherent geometric design
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is pre-positioned within the groove of the blade guide before cutting begins. The groove is designed to constrain the blade to a specific trajectory, ensuring that the cutting action automatically follows a straight path that produces smooth surfaces and uniform thickness without requiring continuous manual adjustment during operation
3Manufacturing precision
If depth control mechanisms are added to improve cut precision, then the thickness control improves, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The depth control function is segmented into discrete, modular components such as individual support blocks or separate adjustable stops positioned at different locations. Each component can be independently adjusted or replaced, allowing precise depth control without requiring a complex integrated adjustment mechanism. The segmentation allows for simple, localized adjustments rather than system-wide complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting device is provided for resizing a tissue sample by enabling a user to make controlled, precise, and consistent cuts into and through the tissue sample. The device includes a body which is assembled from a base plate, a top plate. The base plate has a recess on its surface, and a tissue cavity extending further down within the recess. Tightening thumb screws provided at opposite ends of the body causes the top plate to apply downward pressure on a tissue sample received and held in the tissue cavity. Front and back slots oriented in alignment with one another are provided through front and back walls, respectively, of the base plate. The slots receive a blade therethrough and guide movement of the blade to perform controlled, precise and consistent cutting of the tissue sample placed in the cavity. Methods of using the cutting device are also provided.