Bone Drill Breakthrough Depth Sensing Without Separate Gauges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical procedures require separate depth gauges for measuring bore depth in bones, which is inconvenient and time-consuming, and there is a need for improved methods and devices to determine the breakthrough depth of cutting tools during bone drilling.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system with a sensor and controller that determines breakthrough depth by analyzing displacement and acceleration data of the cutting tool, using a measurement module and identification features to adjust threshold values based on bone type and tool performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate depth gauge is used to measure bore depth, then measurement capability is provided, but procedural time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the depth measurement function directly into the surgical drill system by incorporating a sensor assembly that detects breakthrough depth. This eliminates the need for separate depth gauges and manual measurement steps, allowing the surgeon to obtain bore depth information directly during the drilling operation, thus reducing procedural time while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill system performs self-measurement of breakthrough depth through its integrated sensor assembly that automatically detects when the cutting tool breaches the distal cortex. The system uses its own operational data (rotational speed, torque, and sensor signals) to determine depth without requiring external measurement tools or separate operational steps.
2Measurement precision
If a separate depth gauge is used to measure bore depth, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement function with the cutting tool assembly, integrating a sensor assembly that detects breakthrough depth directly into the drill system. This integration eliminates the need for separate depth gauges and manual measurement procedures, simplifying the overall device complexity while providing accurate bore depth measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill system is designed to perform multiple functions: cutting/boring the bone and simultaneously measuring breakthrough depth through its integrated sensor assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized tools, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If manual depth measurement with a depth gauge is performed, then bore depth is determined, but surgical precision and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drill system performs self-measurement of breakthrough depth through its integrated sensor assembly that automatically detects when the cutting tool breaches the distal cortex. The system uses its own operational data (rotational speed, torque, and sensor signals) to determine depth without requiring external measurement tools or separate operational steps, thereby enhancing surgical efficiency while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly provides real-time feedback to the control circuit during the drilling operation, allowing the system to detect breakthrough events and communicate bore depth information to the surgeon. This continuous feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual measurement steps, improving both precision and surgical efficiency by providing immediate depth information during the procedure.
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
Enables precise and efficient determination of breakthrough depth without the need for separate depth gauges, enhancing surgical precision and reducing procedural time.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to output one or more displacement signals associated with a displacement of the cutting tool during a cutting process
Implementation Method 2
determine distal cortex acceleration data based on the displacement data
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system for determining breakthrough depth of a bore in a bone passing through a proximal cortical layer of bone and a distal cortical layer of bone. The surgical system includes an instrument for coupling to a cutting tool. A sensor is coupled to the instrument to generate one or more depth measurements of the cutting tool as the cutting tool cuts through the bone. The breakthrough depth is determined based on depth measurements made after the cutting tool passes through the proximal cortical layer of bone. The breakthrough depth is optionally based on a type of bone being cut, bone hardness, and cutting tool selection.