Enhancing the Design of Arthroscopic Shaver to Reduce Stresses Experienced

Abstract

In light of the scarcity of design data for arthroscopic surgery equipment due to manufacturers’ non-disclosure of research and patents, the aim of the presented work is to study the mechanical stresses experienced by the arthroscopic shaver during soft tissue resection, thus reaching a new design that enhances performance and tool life. The finite element analysis method was used to determine the effect of changing either the tooth angle or rotational speed on stresses experienced by the shaver by creating a model on ANSYS Explicit Dynamics Module. Results were analysed to find that a tooth angle in the range of 55° to 62° would achieve less stresses on the blades, as well as verifying that cutting at 1500 rpm is the most suitable speed for a longer tool life. This research is a part of a project implemented by the NRC and is planned to be verified by experimental work.

Arthroscopic Shaver Design Parameters Controlled Laboratory Testing

“…That increasing tooth point angle may reduce tissue removal rate, this finding matched theoretical studied that may be referred to tooth sharpness. The trend of shaver tests followed and confirmed the validity of the FE model [6], [7] previously conducted on ANSYS that resulted in suggesting that the optimal range for shaver teeth should be between rate for all the shaver designs tested (approximately 60% higher).…”

“…Increasing rotating speed to 1800 rpm and more may cause sliding of cutting teeth. On the other hand, the theoretical studies recommended shaving operation at around 1500 rpm [6], [7] for better performance (maximum removal rate) that was proved experimentally within this study. Arthroscopic system has three working modes including counter-wise, counter-clockwise, and oscillation.…”

“…Within this study, these shavers were tested on bovine articular cartilage specimens with four different cutting speeds on four consecutive cycles, as well as controlling the contact force. In addition to test rig designing and performing shavers tests in a controlled laboratory environment, this research can be considered as the experimental validation of the previous FE model results [6], [7].…”

“…Qualitative analysis using microscopic images is presented as well as quantitative analysis for the resection (material removal) rate. Validity of the finite element (FE) model results [6], [7], is discussed in light of the conducted experimental work. Figure 3 presents the designed test rig, which is constructed in the biomechanics laboratory at National Research Centre.…”

“…Aiming to enhance designs for arthroscopic shavers and implants used in joint surgery, this study is concerned with the arthroscopic shaver's design, cutting simulation, and experimental verification of the simulation results. Cutting simulation was presented in previous publications [6], [7], the experimental…”