Adjustable Drill Stop Sleeve for Orthopedic Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face challenges in orthopedic surgeries as existing drill bits often lack a reliable mechanism to prevent over-drilling into bone tissue, making it difficult to control the depth of holes for inserting devices like bone screws or nails.
Innovation Solution
A drill bit assembly comprising a drill bit and a drill stop sleeve with a locking collar that can be moved to various predetermined depths, allowing the sleeve to be locked in place, preventing the drill bit from penetrating deeper than the selected depth, which is indicated by depth markers on the bit and sleeve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If no drill depth control mechanism is used, then the drill bit can penetrate deeply into bone tissue, but the surgeon cannot control the drilling depth precisely and may over-drill
Solution Approach 1:
A drill stop sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the drill bit and the surgeon's control. The sleeve features depth markers that visually indicate drilling depth and a locking mechanism that physically prevents the drill bit from penetrating beyond the desired depth, thereby achieving both precise measurement control and reliable over-drilling prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on surgeon skill and judgment (human mechanical control) with a mechanical depth control system consisting of the drill stop sleeve, depth markers, and locking collar. This mechanical system provides objective, consistent depth control that does not depend on individual surgeon expertise
2Measurement precision
If a fixed drill depth mechanism is used, then drilling depth is controlled precisely, but the drill bit cannot be adapted to different drilling depth requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The drill stop sleeve incorporates a dynamic locking collar that can be rotated between locked and unlocked positions. When unlocked, the sleeve can be moved along the drill bit to different depth positions; when locked, it maintains precise depth control. This dynamic mechanism allows the same device to provide both adaptability to different depths and precise control at each depth setting
Solution Approach 2:
The drill stop sleeve serves multiple functions: it provides depth measurement indicators, acts as a physical depth limiter, and includes an adjustable locking mechanism. This single component can be configured for various drilling depths while maintaining precise control, making the system universally applicable to different surgical requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A drill bit assembly is disclosed and can include a drill bit and a drill stop sleeve disposed around the drill bit. The drill stop sleeve can include a locking collar that can be movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the drill stop sleeve can be movable along the drill bit to one of a plurality of drill stop depths. In the locked position, the drill stop sleeve can be locked along the drill bit in one of the plurality of drill stop depths.