Bone Drill Bit Passive Optical Temperature Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone drill bits lack effective temperature indication during drilling, which can lead to bone damage due to excessive heat, making it difficult to prevent temperature-induced complications during dental implant procedures.
Innovation Solution
A bone drill bit equipped with a passive, thermo-conducting temperature-sensitive optical indicator that changes color in response to temperature changes, providing visible temperature feedback to the user without the need for electrical signals or complex sensor systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a direct temperature sensor is integrated into the rotating drill bit, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of energizing and transmitting signals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical temperature sensor system with an optical indicator system. Instead of using electrical sensors that require energization and signal transmission through the rotating drill bit, the invention uses a passive optical indicator that changes color in response to temperature changes. This substitution eliminates the complex electrical signal transmission problem while maintaining temperature detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical indicator as an intermediary between the temperature source (drill bit) and the detection system. The optical indicator serves as a mediator that converts temperature information into visual color changes, which can be detected by the user or external optical sensors without requiring direct electrical contact or complex signal transmission through the rotating component.
2Loss of information
If a thermochromic material is used at the distal end, then temperature indication is provided, but the indication is not directly visible to the user during drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the optical indicator from the distal end (where temperature occurs) to the proximal end (where the user can easily observe it). This spatial relocation in another dimension allows the user to directly observe temperature indications without requiring line-of-sight to the drilling area, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining temperature information visibility.
3Temperature
If the drill bit is made of medical steel with good temperature conductivity, then heat is conducted quickly through the shaft, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the drill bit shaft from conventional materials to medical steel, which has superior temperature conductivity. This parameter change enables rapid heat conduction from the drilling section to the proximal end, allowing the optical indicator to reflect accurate temperature information. The benefit of improved temperature conduction is achieved without adding structural complexity, as the material substitution alone provides the desired thermal performance.
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 allows for real-time visual temperature monitoring, enabling the user to avoid excessive heat and prevent bone damage, while maintaining the drill bit's mechanical integrity and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature-sensitive optical indicator is defined by a color-changing substance changing its visible-spectrum color depending on the temperature of the drill shaft body
Implementation Method 2
Medical steel generally has a relatively good and high temperature conductivity so that the heat at the distal drilling section of the drill shaft body is heat conducted relatively quickly in longitudinal direction through the drill shaft body to the proximal end section of the drill bit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A bone drill bit includes a metal drill shaft body. The metal drill shaft body includes a drilling section, a clamping section, and a passive temperature-sensitive optical indicator which is in a thermo-conducting connection to the metal drill shaft body.