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Biomedical: Special Arthroscopic and Ophthalmic Instruments

Client

Acufex Microsurgical, Inc. Norwood, Massachusetts.

Problem

Arthroscopic surgery consists operating non-invasively on joints through very small portals punctured around the joint. Observation is through small lens systems and television monitors. Instruments cannot be over 3 mm in diameter and must be capable to enter at various angles. A curved rotary instrument had to be designed for the meniscus resection and removal. An ophthalmic scalpel also had to be designed for minimum tissue reaction.

Solution

A curved shank rotary instrument was designed using a special design for the terminations of the flexible shaft. Top instrument is a standard acufex scissors. Center one is the curved instrument shown open. In this case it is a grabber. Pressing the handle causes the blades to rotate and grab. The instrument below is a piezoceramic-actuated axially vibrating ophthalmic scalpel shown withouht the handle. The slender shank contains a replaceable blade mount, linkages, and piezoceramic crystal. Instrument allows cutting on contact, with almost no tissue reaction. The model shown here is a development prototype.

Picture of the Special Arthroscopic and Ophthalmic Instruments