A technique for quantifying the performance of oscillating bone saw blades

A new model has been developed to evaluate the performance of oscillating surgical saw blades used in medical-implant procedures. A test apparatus was constructed to maintain a constant cutting force between a blade driven by a pneumatic powered oscillating saw and the bone. Evaluations of saw-blade performance were determined using the following outcome measures: cutting time, volume of bone removal, and peak cutting temperature. Two popular, commercially available blades similar in size and tooth geometry were evaluated. This model identified differences in the performance of these two types of oscillating saw blades.