HydroCision Inc has been granted a United States patent entitled "Liquid Jet-Powered Surgical Instruments" (U.S. patent 6,511,493). This is a watershed patent, defining a new technology platform for powering surgical instruments. Currently, either low-speed cordless instruments or high-speed cabled (electric or pneumatic) instruments are used to cut, shape and remove bone or other tissues. HydroCision's proprietary HydroDrive technology, incorporating a fluidjet-driven turbine, has the high power of electric and the smoothness of pneumatic instruments. Fluidjet-driven turbines also have a unique torque regulating response that increases the torque as more resistance is encountered. These advantages make HydroDrive technology the preferred power method wherever powered instruments are used, including orthopaedic, neuro, spine, plastic, and maxillofacial surgery.
"This patent and the 114 claims therein solidifies our proprietary technology for cutting and ablating tissue with a liquid cutting jet, defines the second aspect of our technology -- the fluidjet-driven turbine, and also protects additional features of our hydrosurgery system," stated Douglas Daniels, President of HydroCision. "In the clinical evaluations of our initial HydroDrive device, a bone burr, surgeons noted that it was highly controllable, yet fully capable of grinding and polishing bone more rapidly than previous types of burrs used for surgery."
HydroCision's first product utilizing its HydroDrive technology is a burr for use in arthroscopic surgery, with superior grinding and polishing capabilities resulting in faster bone removal and a smoother surface in knee and shoulder procedures. Other applications in development leveraging this platform technology include spine surgery instruments, where the precise control and smooth operation will enable neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons to approach sensitive areas with confidence; and tools for total joint surgery, where the grinding capability will enable orthopedic surgeons to cut and remove large amounts of bone with precision and speed.