Smooth Shaving Device for Arthroscopic Surgeries

With an interdisciplinary team of engineers working together to solve problems faced by members of the Palouse, we hope to garner technical engineering experience while also creating a product that satisfies our client. The goal from our client is to create a production-ready smooth arthroscopic shaver, capable of robust sterilization and prepared for animal testing. We are working with Dr. Hiller to ensure that our device will be suitable for use in operating rooms around the country by utilizing variable speeds, orbital sanding, and a compact ergonomic design.

=Problem Definition=

Problem Statement

We were tasked with developing a smooth sanding device to be used in arthroscopic surgeries in hopes that it will ease the recovery process for patients. In order to properly sand articular cartilage, variable speed with orbital sanding motion is required to accomplish the desired effect. Our device will also be designed with ergonomics in mind to prevent operating fatigue for surgeons.

Value Proposition

Arthritis is a characteristic roughening of a joint, and causes joint breakdown leading to chronic pain and inflammation. Annually, there are roughly 750,000 knee arthroscopies in the United States, many of which focus on alleviation of arthritic pain in the joint. However, current techniques require cutting out afflicted cartilage or bone, contributing to longer recovery times and increased cost of care. In addition, arthroscopic tooltips are designed for single-use, increasing patient out-of-pocket costs. The goal of this project is to create a device with reusable tooltips that can arthroscopically shave arthritic joint surfaces smooth to lessen pain and lower rehabilitation time. Our device will embody these capabilities via approximation of a random-orbital sanding motion of the shaving platform, as well as offer better ergonomics and user comfort than traditional arthroscopic tools. This tool will enable those suffering arthritic pain to lead comfortable and fulfilling lives.

Background
Client Knowledge

This project was created after a local orthopedic surgeon in our area, Dr. Hiller found that his patients were having trouble recovering after arthroscopic knee surgeries due to inflammation of their articulated cartilage. Due to the current arthroscopic tools, it is common for patients to experience excess complications as a direct result of the available tools. The common arthroscopic shaver used in knee surgeries has a rotary shaving head that tears off chunks of flesh, opposed to sanding it. Our goal is to alleviate these problems by creating a device that will utilize a random orbital sanding method with variable speed.

Current Technology

Current shavers work with solely rotary shaving motions, ripping bits of flesh in a high-speed biting affect. These shavers do not have any sanding mechanism for fine bits of cartilage so the current devices leave ripples or grooves in the tissue. Similarly, the design of current devices has a pencil shaped housing unit opposed to a more ergonomic design.

Specifications
Product Requirements After discussions with our client, we have narrowed down the feasible design constraints into the following list:  Variable speed output with 900-6000 RPM oscillation settings Random orbital sanding action within a pistol-grip device Maximum output shaft diameter of 4mm​. Output shaft should be able to withstand corrosion in saline-rich environments​ Compatibility with 100-400 grit shaver heads/burs. 300 grit shaver heads/burs have been previously noted to work the best Reliable two-hour battery life Compatibility with existing surgical suction pumps. Debris removal during shaving (condyle, menisci cartilage, bone fragments)​ The device should be reusable, and compatible with different shaver heads​. Autoclaving (60kPa, 150 degrees Celsius) 

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Project Schedule



Meeting Minutes

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Client Interview