Conductivity-Sensing Drill Adapter With Automatic Penetration Arrest

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical navigation systems face limitations in accuracy and real-time tracking of surgical tools, leading to potential misregistration and increased radiation exposure due to frequent imaging, and lack of confidence in three-dimensional tool location, especially near sensitive anatomical structures.

Innovation Solution

A sensing drill bit with electrical conductivity detection and a brake mechanism, coupled with a controller, that arrests drill advancement based on sensed conductivity changes, providing real-time alerts and stopping penetration when approaching sensitive tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluoroscopic or CT images are periodically updated during the surgical procedure to maintain accuracy, then the registration accuracy is improved, but the patient and surgeon are exposed to greater ionizing radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration accuracyVSAvoidionizing radiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of the surgical tool with the imaging system before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary action establishes the spatial relationship between the tool and patient anatomy upfront, eliminating the need for repeated imaging updates during the procedure, thereby maintaining accuracy while reducing radiation exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous visual feedback through a display device that shows the registered position of the surgical tool relative to patient anatomy in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to maintain accuracy without requiring repeated ionizing radiation imaging, as the registration status is continuously monitored and displayed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If multiple views of patient anatomy and surgical tool are provided to improve three-dimensional localization, then the confidence in tool location is improved, but the complexity of real-time mental integration by the surgeon increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional tool location confidenceVSAvoidreal-time mental integration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple imaging views and the surgical tool representation into a single integrated three-dimensional visual display. This combination presents all spatial information in a unified format that the surgeon can interpret directly without needing to mentally integrate separate two-dimensional views, thereby improving confidence in tool location while reducing cognitive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from displaying separate two-dimensional fluoroscopic or CT views to presenting an integrated three-dimensional representation of the surgical tool within patient anatomy. This dimensional enhancement provides intuitive spatial understanding, improving localization confidence while eliminating the need for complex mental integration of multiple planar views

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the surgical drill is allowed to advance freely to maintain productivity, then the surgical efficiency is improved, but the risk of unintended tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidunintended tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time visual feedback displaying the precise location of the surgical tool tip relative to sensitive anatomical structures. This feedback allows the surgeon to advance the tool efficiently while continuously monitoring proximity to critical areas, enabling high productivity without increasing the risk of unintended tissue damage through direct visual awareness of tool position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances surgical precision by preventing unintended tissue damage through real-time conductivity sensing and automatic brake activation, reducing radiation exposure and improving three-dimensional tool localization.

Implementation Method 1

an elongated drilling portion configured to sense electrical conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity sensing: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12569259B2Universal adapter for handheld surgical systems

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 SPINEGUARD

AI summary

Adapters for surgical drilling systems, and methods of use, are provided for performing surgical procedures, such as surgical drilling into bony structures, while guided by a conductivity sensing system. The adapters may be configured to be coupled to a surgical drilling tool such as a conventional surgical drill and a drill bit having conductivity sensing capabilities, e.g., via a sensing drill bit, or a surgical hand tool having conductivity sensing capabilities. The adapters further include a controller configured to receive one or more signal indicative of measured electrical conductivity and/or penetration depth measurement, detect a condition associated with a change of measured electrical conductivity based on the signal, and arrest advancement of the surgical drilling tool responsive to detection of the condition.