Multi-directional Bone Drilling with Cortex Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional orthopedic procedures for cutting or severing bones often result in significant risk of soft tissue damage due to the difficulty in controlling saw instruments, leading to unintended contact and increased trauma, which prolongs healing times and reduces surgical efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A method of multi-directional drilling that uses a drill bit with a measurement system to detect the leading edge passing through the bone cortex, allowing for the creation of angled bores that minimize contact with soft tissue and reduce the risk of damage by strategically weakening the bone cortex for controlled fracture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional saw instruments are used to cut or sever bones, then bone separation can be achieved, but the risk of soft tissue damage increases due to difficulty in controlling the saw and inadvertent contact with surrounding soft tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical saw cutting with a drilling system that uses rotational drill bits to create perforations in the bone cortex. This substitution allows for more precise control through measurement systems that detect when the drill bit passes through the cortex, eliminating the uncontrolled plunging motion inherent in saw operations and thereby reducing soft tissue damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates measurement systems that provide real-time feedback on drill bit position and depth by detecting changes in displacement and force. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to precisely control when the drill bit has passed through the cortex, preventing inadvertent contact with soft tissue while maintaining efficient bone separation
2Ease of operation
If saw instruments are used to cut through bone, then bone can be separated, but the surgeon's skill is required to manipulate the saw to avoid inadvertent contact with soft tissue, making it difficult or impossible to reliably control the saw in all contexts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual manipulation of saw instruments with an automated drilling system equipped with measurement and detection capabilities. This substitution transforms the operation from skill-dependent manual control to a more reliable system-guided process that consistently detects cortex penetration regardless of surgeon experience
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling system performs self-monitoring through integrated measurement systems that automatically detect when the drill bit has passed through the cortex. This self-service capability reduces reliance on surgeon skill and judgment, providing reliable control through objective real-time detection of drilling progress and cortex penetration
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the bone is isolated from soft tissue by manipulating surrounding soft tissue, then inadvertent soft tissue damage may be avoided, but manipulation or contact of soft tissue leads to increased trauma, extended healing times, and reduced surgical efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual soft tissue manipulation with a measurement-based drilling system that detects cortex penetration through displacement and force monitoring. This substitution eliminates the need to physically retract or manipulate soft tissue, thereby reducing trauma while still preventing inadvertent soft tissue contact during the cutting process
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system acts as an intermediary between the drill bit and the surgeon, providing objective detection of cortex penetration through sensor data. This intermediary eliminates the need for direct visual inspection or manual manipulation of soft tissue, reducing trauma while maintaining precise control over the drilling process and preventing soft tissue contact
4Manufacturing precision
If a drill bit is used to drill through bone cortex, then bone can be perforated with controlled fracture, but the drill bit must be precisely controlled to detect the leading edge passing through the cortex
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors drill bit displacement, detects force changes indicating cortex penetration, and provides real-time feedback for controlling drilling depth. This multi-functionality achieves high precision bone perforation while avoiding excessive complexity by consolidating multiple measurement capabilities into a single integrated system
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
This approach reduces soft tissue damage and minimizes heating of bone tissue, enabling more precise and efficient bone separation with reduced recovery time and improved surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring the displacement and force of the advancement of the drill bit relative to a reference point and detecting, based on the displacement and the force, a leading edge of the drill bit in the first bore passing through an exterior portion of a cortex of the bone
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-directional drilling of a bone to create a perforation of bone cortex. The disclosure presents methods of using a drill having a measurement system to advance a drill bit through a bone with detection of penetration or eruption of the leading edge of the drill bit through the exterior of the cortex layer of the bone. In this regard, operation of the drill may be controlled to limit soft tissue damage adjacent to the distal side of the bone. The drill bit may be at least partially retracted through a first bore, repositioned, and one or more additional bores may be created, all while monitoring for penetration of the leading edge of the drill bit relative to the cortical layer. In turn, a perforated distal side of the cortical layer of the bone may be created that creates a desired weakness in the bone, which may be useful in various operations including when performing a corticotomy or the like.