Title: Function-oriented design and testing methods for newly developed ceramic ophthalmic scalpels

Authors: Wilfried Saxler; Benedikt Thimm; Fritz Klocke; Barbara Linke; Dominik Schlütter

Addresses: Institute of Cutting Tool and Manufacturing Technology, Cologne Rhenish University of Applied Sciences, Vogelsanger Straße 295, 50825 Cologne, Germany. ' Institute of Cutting Tool and Manufacturing Technology, Cologne Rhenish University of Applied Sciences, Vogelsanger Straße 295, 50825 Cologne, Germany. ' Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Steinbachstraße 19, 52074 Aachen, Germany. ' Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Steinbachstraße 19, 52074 Aachen, Germany. ' Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Steinbachstraße 19, 52074 Aachen, Germany

Abstract: The quality of surgical instruments is mainly characterised by their functional properties in terms of medical, ergonomical, biocompatible and economical aspects. The functionality of an ophthalmic scalpel for example mainly depends on its cutting performance, which is characterised by the cutting edge sharpness, stability and micro geometry. To achieve a reliable production of scalpels, it is necessary to establish a holistic understanding of the process chain as well as the interactions of all machining processes. Objective parameters have to be found which correlate the surgeon's subjective performance evaluation to measurable characteristics, which are used to monitor the quality during manufacturing. A cooperative project has been conducted by two universities and two industrial partners, funded by the German federal ministry of economics and technology. On the one hand, the project focuses on the grinding process having a major impact on the scalpel's functionality. On the other hand, characterisation methods to evaluate the blade sharpness are reviewed in order to create the link between the surgeon's functionality perception and the process.

Keywords: ophthalmic scalpels; medical instruments; ceramics; grinding; cutting edge sharpness; microgeometry; manufacturing systems; ceramic scalpels; surgical instruments; stability; blade sharpness; user perception.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2012.046148

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2012 Vol.5 No.1, pp.17 - 35

Received: 15 Jan 2011
Accepted: 13 Jul 2011
Published online: 20 Aug 2014 *

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