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THE LATEST TRENDS IN POWERING SURGICAL HAND TOOLS

THE LATEST TRENDS IN POWERING SURGICAL HAND TOOLS
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THE LATEST TRENDS IN POWERING SURGICAL HAND TOOLS - 1

WHITE PAPER THE LATEST TRENDS IN POWERING SURGICAL HAND TOOLS The use of motorized power tools in operating rooms has directly improved patient outcomes by optimizing the precision and speed of procedures. These power tools have also enhanced the ease of use for surgeons, as well as sped up the process to increase patient throughput and reduce waiting times. As the latest generation of power tools, from hand-held devices to robotic designs, aim to further enhance these advantages, greater emphasis is placed on the need to optimize their motion systems. The capability of the motor, gearbox, and controls directly impact the performance of the power tool, including its precision and speed. The motion system affects wider criteria for the overall device from ergonomic considerations through to its lifespan and ease of design integration. MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY Minimally invasive surgery results in a shorter recovery time for patients, with less scarring and reduced blood loss. It can also reduce the overall procedure time, allowing surgeons to treat a higher number of patients and potentially easing pressure linked to surgical staff shortages. For the power tools involved, they require a smaller footprint to be able to access extremely compact locations. They must also be extremely precise and offer high maneuverability for working across a more compact area. BLDC (brushless DC) motors offer this level of precision and high-speed motion because of their design involving an electronic controller, thereby enabling greater accuracy over speed and torque modulation. BLDC motors are very compact, with diameters as small as 12mm up to 90mm, and hence are highly suitable for the application. Alternatively, coreless DC brushed motors provide a design that offers smooth torque delivery with low vibration, also within a compact and lightweight footprint. WHITE PAPER | Page 1 of 3 Figure 1: Portescap’s Athlonix™ and Ultra EC™ motors ©2024 Portescap. All rights reser

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THE LATEST TRENDS IN POWERING SURGICAL HAND TOOLS - 2

The easier the tool is to handle, the better equipped the surgeon will be to achieve a precise outcome for the patient. While ‘keyhole surgery’ requires smaller surgical power tools, further improvements in device ergonomics with the right form factor, combined with minimal size and weight, can further enhance surgical control. As hand-held tools are usually battery-driven, an efficient power solution will also contribute significantly to the ease of use of a device. ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGERY While robot-assisted surgery does not have the same ergonomic demands as procedures completed by human...

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THE LATEST TRENDS IN POWERING SURGICAL HAND TOOLS - 3

TIME (2 to 4 Year Project Timeline) Figure 3: Early collaboration is critical to successfully optimizing the motion system CONCLUSION As the latest generation of surgical power tools enable even greater capabilities to improve patient outcomes, there’s an increased need for their designers to consider the motion system that drives them. The performance of the motor, gearbox, and controls is not only vital to the surgical outcome but to wider aspects such as ease of use and the lifespan of the power tool itself, which also depend on the specification of the motion system. To develop...

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