There are few industries that push the limits of engineering further than the manufacture of surgical power tools. Design engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of ergonomics, precision, size and reliability in order to release the latest life-saving device onto the market. Fortunately, Portescap has launched a range of 15 new motors that are designed specifically for surgical applications.
Design engineers working in the surgical sector must always be on the lookout for innovative drive technologies that will allow them to reduce vibration, increase ergonomic comfort and maximise reliability. Beyond the obvious critical performance parameters, a key criterion for surgical motors is the ability to withstand the sterilisation process – thereby adding value by increasing the service life of the tool.
Sterilisation goes a step beyond simple cleaning or disinfection; it is the process of destroying all microbial life on the tool’s surface – and it must be completed between every surgery. There are several accepted sterilisation methods available, the most common being autoclaving – using saturated steam under high pressure for minutes at a time. The process is exceptionally demanding on components, requiring them to be extremely robust.
Having committed decades to the research and development of sterilisable motor technology, Portescap is now a world leader in the field and has contributed to millions of surgeries globally. Its new SM series of brushless slotted motors has been designed to meet the demanding performance requirements of surgical applications and tested to withstand 500+ sterilisation cycles.
The 15 motors within the range are optimised for powered staplers, orthopaedic tools, arthroscopic shavers, ENT microdebriders, and high-speed neuro drills; they are just as well-suited to traditional surgical tools as they are for robotically assisted surgical devices. The small sized motors range in diameter from 13 mm – 31 mm, offering speeds of 97k RPM and up to 124 mNm of torque. They are lightweight with low noise and vibration to maximise tactile response and surgeon control in the most delicate of surgeries.
Portescap is able to deliver standard prototypes within two weeks, enabling its customers to begin testing quickly and shorten their time to market. The company has a dedicated team of R&D engineers who are well versed in medical device integration and are eager to collaborate where engineered solutions are required.
