Bone Implant Drill Guide With Integrated Flatness Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone conduction implant surgeries face challenges in accurately guiding perpendicular drilling and measuring flatness of the implant insertion surface due to reliance on visual estimation, which can lead to inaccuracies and the need for repeated measurements during surgery.

Innovation Solution

A device with a through-hole and locking protrusion is used to guide perpendicular drilling and measure flatness, featuring a transparent design for visual confirmation and compatibility with different drill spacer diameters, along with an assistant guide member and threads for smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If visual estimation is used to guide perpendicular drilling, then the operation is simple, but the drilling accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of drilling guidanceVSAvoiddrilling perpendicularity accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent guide member is introduced as an intermediary tool between the operator and the drilling process. This guide member includes a vertical probe that provides a visual reference for perpendicular drilling, allowing the operator to accurately guide the drill while maintaining operational simplicity. The guide member acts as a mediator that translates the complex requirement of perpendicular alignment into a simple visual following task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces reliance on operator visual estimation with a physical mechanical guide system. The guide member with its vertical probe provides a tangible mechanical reference that ensures perpendicular drilling without requiring the operator to mentally calculate or estimate angles, thus improving accuracy while keeping the operation straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If flatness measurement is performed repeatedly during surgery, then the flatness accuracy is ensured, but the surgical time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion surface flatness accuracyVSAvoidsurgical duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is designed to combine multiple functions into a single tool: it serves both as a drilling guide (through the vertical probe) and as a flatness measurement device (through the bottom surface). By merging these functions, the operator can continuously monitor flatness during the drilling and implantation process without needing to pause for separate measurement steps, thereby ensuring accuracy while reducing surgical time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent bottom surface of the guide member allows for continuous visual monitoring of the insertion surface flatness throughout the surgical procedure. Instead of performing discrete, intermittent measurements, the operator can continuously observe the flatness status through the transparent guide member, enabling real-time adjustments and eliminating the need to stop the procedure for repeated measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If a separate flatness measuring instrument is used, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflatness measurement accuracyVSAvoidnumber of instruments required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is designed as a universal tool that performs multiple functions: guiding perpendicular drilling through the vertical probe and measuring insertion surface flatness through its bottom surface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate flatness measuring instruments, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy. The same tool that guides the drill also serves as the flatness reference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the drilling guidance function and the flatness measurement function into a single integrated guide member. The vertical probe provides drilling alignment while the bottom surface provides flatness reference, combining what would traditionally require separate instruments into one unified tool, thereby simplifying the overall surgical setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12549910B2Vertical drilling guide and flatness measuring device for bone conduction implant

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 UNIVERSITY IND FOUNDATION YONSEI UNIVERSITY MIRAE CAMPUS

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a device that can guide perpendicular drilling and simultaneously measure flatness of an insertion surface through a locking protrusion by rotating the device in bone conduction implantation. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to measure flatness and guide perpendicular boring with a constant force even without using a separate flatness measurer in surgery. Further, it is also possible to guide drilling using a spacer having a smaller diameter by using an assistant guide member.