Articulating Drill Shaft for Precision Bone Cavity Formation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive surgical techniques for forming cavities in bone risk unintended damage due to misalignment and lack of precision in creating desired dimensions, particularly in procedures like percutaneous vertebroplasty.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a powered drill assembly with sensors and a programmable controller, combined with an anchoring device, to precisely create cavities of desired dimensions in bone, including a drill shaft with an articulating tip and a motor assembly with rotational and linear actuators, and an anchoring device with a multi-directional bearing for stable guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional drill techniques are used for creating cavities in bone, then the procedure is simpler and faster to perform, but precision and alignment control deteriorate leading to risk of unintended damage
Solution Approach 1:
The drill assembly incorporates sensors that provide real-time feedback on drill position, depth, and orientation. This feedback is processed by a controller that adjusts drilling parameters to maintain precise cavity dimensions and prevent unintended damage to surrounding bone structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment methods with sensor-based detection and computer-controlled positioning. The system uses electronic sensors and digital control algorithms to achieve precision that cannot be obtained through mechanical guidance alone.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive techniques are used to reduce surgical injury, then patient harm is minimized, but control and precision over cavity formation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Real-time sensor feedback monitors drill position and tissue resistance, allowing the controller to adjust drilling parameters dynamically. This ensures precise cavity formation while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue through controlled drilling forces and speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill assembly automatically adjusts its own drilling parameters based on sensor feedback from the tissue environment. The system self-regulates drilling depth, speed, and direction without requiring constant manual intervention, maintaining precision while reducing surgical injury.
3Manufacturing precision
If a controlled drill assembly with sensors and actuators is used to achieve precise cavity dimensions, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drill assembly performs self-adjustment of drilling parameters based on sensor feedback. The automated control system handles complex positioning and depth control without requiring the operator to manually manage each parameter, making the sophisticated system as easy to operate as traditional drills.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (sensing, control, actuation, and drilling) are merged into a single integrated drill assembly. This consolidation allows the complex capabilities to work automatically as a unified system, reducing the operational burden on the surgeon while maintaining high precision.
4Manufacturing precision
If real-time sensor feedback and computer control are implemented to guide drilling, then cavity formation precision improves, but device complexity and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-programs desired cavity parameters and positions before the procedure begins. During drilling, the controller automatically executes these pre-planned parameters with real-time adjustments, eliminating the need for manual measurement and calculation during the procedure, thus reducing overall procedural time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor feedback and computer control operate continuously throughout the drilling process, providing constant guidance rather than intermittent adjustments. This continuous control prevents errors and rework, maintaining high precision efficiency throughout the procedure and reducing total time required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise creation of cavities in bone, minimizing the risk of damage and ensuring accurate dimensions, thereby enhancing the efficacy and safety of procedures like percutaneous vertebroplasty by providing real-time feedback and controlled drilling.
Implementation Method 1
an articulating tip that can pivot in a radial arc from a first position that is oriented to a longitudinal axis that is drawn along the shaft to a second position that can be oriented to a perpendicular axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
at least one rotational motor that rotationally drives the drill shaft with a rotational spin
Implementation Method 3
at least one linear actuator that provides a back and forth movement of the drill shaft
Implementation Method 4
at least one torque sensor
Implementation Method 5
at least one rotation sensor
Implementation Method 6
at least one electrical resistance sensor
Implementation Method 7
a position sensor positioned at a place along the drill shaft
Implementation Method 8
A shroud for the drill shaft that can include a port for insertion of water that can be pressurized by an external pump for irrigation and removal of deconstructed bone and marrow material from the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for creating a cavity with a drill assembly provides a powered drill shaft assembly having an articulating tip and a position sensor along the drill shaft; a drill motor assembly with a rotational motor, linear actuator, torque sensor, rotation sensor, electrical resistance sensor and a controller unit having a plurality of programs providing user interface and controlling the operation of the powered drill arrangement; a shroud for the drill shaft with a water port; and a computer software package that combines user specifications with sensor data to control activation and displacement of the drill with a user interface, controls the motor for rotational speed and drilling depth, and gives sensor status, and a display displaying status of a drilling procedure and an image from an imaging device, and that is programmable for a set of parameters for a drilling procedure.