Bone Drill Depth Limiting Structure With Axial Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drills lack the ability to control depth during bone drilling, leading to tissue, vessel, and nerve damage, and require separate depth measurement tools post-drilling.
Innovation Solution
A depth limiting device with an axial braking structure and a limited shrinking structure that surrounds the drill rod, allowing it to be slidably attached to the drill, enabling controlled depth penetration by transitioning from a home to a compressed position to stop the drill rod from entering further into the subject.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drill is used for drilling a hole in a bone without depth control, then the drilling function is achieved, but tissue, vessel, and nerve damage may occur due to uncontrolled depth penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting a depth limiting structure on the drill rod before drilling begins. This structure includes a limiting component with a limiting end that can contact bone tissue to automatically stop further penetration, preventing tissue, vessel, and nerve damage before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a depth measurement and indication system. The drill rod includes a depth scale or marking system that provides real-time feedback to the surgeon about penetration depth, allowing immediate adjustment or termination of drilling to avoid harmful over-penetration.
2Productivity
If existing drills are used without integrated depth measurement, then the drilling function is achieved, but separate depth measuring devices are required after drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drilling function with integrated depth measurement and limitation functions into a single drill rod structure. The depth scale markings and limiting structure are incorporated directly onto the drill rod, eliminating the need for separate depth measuring devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill rod is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the drilling tool and as the depth measurement and limitation device. The single structure performs multiple functions: cutting bone tissue, measuring depth via scales, and automatically limiting penetration depth, thereby improving efficiency without requiring additional specialized tools.
3Speed
If the drill rod is allowed to penetrate freely without limitation, then drilling speed is maintained, but the drill may drill forwards continuously causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The depth limiting structure is pre-configured on the drill rod before drilling begins. The limiting component is positioned at a predetermined depth location, allowing the drill to operate at full speed during the initial penetration phase while automatically engaging to stop further penetration when the preset depth is reached, thus maintaining speed while ensuring reliability.
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 device effectively limits the drill's depth penetration, reducing tissue and nerve damage during drilling and eliminating the need for separate depth measurement tools by integrating a braking mechanism that stops the drill rod automatically.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged in the retraction space and pressing against the drill rod bushing
Implementation Method 2
an axial braking structure, the axial braking structure being attached to the main body
Data Source
AI summary
A depth limiting device includes a braking structure; a limited shrinking structure, the limited shrinking structure including a part that surrounds a moving object and being in a home position or a compressed position; and a structure adapted for pushing the limited shrinking structure to the home position. The braking structure brakes the moving object such that the moving object moves together with the depth limiting device. When the moving object enters into a subject, the part of the limited shrinking structure is pressed against the subject, and the limited shrinking structure moves from the home position to the compressed position and stops the moving object from entering further into the subject.