Surgical Tool with Hydrodynamic Dissipation Brake

摘要

Systems and methods are provided for passively dissipating a rotational speed of a fluid-driven rotatable shaft. In particular, a dissipation member is provided for dissipating the rotational speed of a shaft having an end effector formed thereon. As the rotational speed of the shaft increases, the dissipation member will apply a counter-torque to the shaft, thereby limiting the rotational speed of the shaft. In an exemplary embodiment, the counter-torque has a non-linear dependence on the rotational speed of the shaft, such that the counter-torque increases at a rate greater than a rate of increase in the rotational speed.

主权项

1. A method for cutting tissue, comprising:
delivering a high pressure fluid jet to a surgical cutting tool to fluidly drive a rotatable shaft having an end effector formed on a distal end thereof; and repeatedly placing the end effector in contact with tissue to cut the tissue such that the tissue applies a working load on the end effector; wherein a hydrodynamic dissipation member coupled to the rotatable shaft applies a counter-torque to the rotatable shaft to limit a rotational speed of the rotatable shaft as a working load on the end effector is decreased.