Cranial Access System Precision Drill Stop and Single-Hole Catheter Guide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for drilling holes in the skull lack precision in stopping the drill bit once it exits the skull, leading to potential brain trauma, and are inefficient in removing bone material and guiding ventricular catheters, while also limiting the number of radial holes for drainage and requiring multiple drill holes for monitoring probes and catheters.
Innovation Solution
A cranial access system with a precision drill stop, bone collection mechanism, and catheter guide that orients the drill hole perpendicular to the skull, allows for the placement of multiple monitoring probes and a ventricular catheter through a single hole, and features an air-column ventricular catheter with a bladder mounted inside for increased radial holes, enhancing drainage capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a hand drill with a drill stop is used to drill a hole in the skull, then the surgeon can control the drilling depth, but the drill bit cannot stop precisely as soon as it passes through the skull, leading to potential brain trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The drill stop is pre-positioned on the drill bit at a calculated distance corresponding to the skull thickness. This preliminary positioning allows the drill to automatically stop at the precise moment it exits the skull, eliminating the need for manual intervention and preventing brain trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill stop acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the surgeon's control and the drill bit. It provides a physical barrier that automatically halts the drilling operation at the predetermined depth, ensuring precise stopping without requiring continuous surgeon attention.
2Ease of manufacture
If bone material is removed from the drill site using gauze and rinsing, then the drill hole can be cleaned, but bone material accumulates in an anthill-like pile and some material falls back into the drill hole
Solution Approach 1:
The bone material is extracted from the drill site using a specialized suction device that captures the material as it is generated during drilling. This prevents the accumulation of bone debris and eliminates the need for subsequent cleaning operations with gauze and rinsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone material removal process occurs continuously during the drilling operation rather than as a separate post-drilling step. The suction device operates throughout the drilling process, maintaining a clean drill site and preventing material accumulation in real-time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drill holes are created for monitoring probes and ventricular catheters, then all necessary access points can be obtained, but the procedure requires multiple drilling operations and increases surgical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A single drill hole is designed to accommodate multiple functions including monitoring probes and ventricular catheters. The hole serves as a universal access point that can receive various surgical instruments, eliminating the need for separate drill holes for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The placement of multiple monitoring probes and the ventricular catheter is merged into a single drilling operation. All necessary access points are obtained through one strategically positioned hole, reducing the number of drilling operations and simplifying the surgical procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for intracranial access is disclosed. In particular, a drill stop is shown providing a way to control the penetration of a drill bit as an access hole into the brain is being formed. Access to a desired location is achieved using a catheter guide device. Also disclosed is a mechanism by which multiple diagnostic and treatment devices can be placed at a desired location in brain tissue without the need for more than one access hole. A drainage catheter is disclosed with a mechanism to allow both drainage and to allow intracranial pressure measurement.